m. BILL 010497 - Re parking for handicapped persons. BILL 010608 - Authorizing revision of lines, grades... BILL 010621 - " " " " " BILL 010636 - Regulating traffic on... BILL 010637 - Authorizing Aspen Street Corp. to... BILL 010693 - Authorizing Charles McNeill to... BILL 010713 - Authorizing revision of lines, grades... BILL 010714 - " " " " " BILL 010715 - Authorizing Water Commissioner to... BILL 010716 - Authorizing revision of lines, grades... BILL 010717 - Authorizing Water Commissioner to... BILL 010720 - Authorizing Whole Foods Market to... BILL 010741 - Authorizing revision of lines, grades... BILL 020049 - Held at request of sponsor. BILL 020051 - Authorizing revision of lines, grades... BILL 020073 - " " " " " BILL 020074 - " " " " " BILL 020090 - Establishing no-truck-parking reg. BILL 020091 - Authorizing Water Commissioner to... BILL 020093 - Construction of sanitary sewers on... BILL 020096 - Authorizing revision of lines, grades... BILL 020097 - Permitting newsstand owner to... BILL 020098 - Construction of water main in... BILL 020117 - Re Sidewalk Vendors on Pine Street... BILL 020118 - Withdrawn. BILL 020120 - Authorizing revision of lines, grades... BILL 020121 - Authorizing paving of Reilly Avenue... BILL 020122 - Held at request of sponsor. BILL 020141 - Authorizing Buca Restaurants to... COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Frank DiCicco, Chair W. Wilson Goode Jr. Angel Ortiz Darrell L. Clarke Richard T. Mariano Frank Rizzo David Cohen Donna Reed Miller VINCENT VARALLO ASSOCIATES, INC. Registered Professional Reporters Eleven Penn Center, Suite 600 Philadelphia, PA 19103 (215) 561-2220 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES INDEX WITNESS: BILL 010636 Charles Denny, Streets.......................... BILL 020090 Charles Denny, Streets.......................... BILL 010637 Nancy Sen, Streets.............................. BILL 010639 Nancy Sen, Streets.............................. BILL 010720 Nancy Sen, Streets.............................. BILL 020097 Nancy Sen, Streets.............................. BILL 020141 Nancy Sen, Streets.............................. BILL 010715, 010717 Paul McCloskey, Water Department................ 15 BILL 020091 Paul McCloskey, Water Department................ 23 16 BILL 020093 17 Paul McCloskey, Water Department................ 30 BILL 020098 Paul McCloskey, Water Department................ 31 BILL 010608 Paul Lonie, Streets............................. 33 Martin Soffer, City Planning.................... 34 BILL 010621 Paul Lonie, Streets............................. 35 Martin Soffer, City Planning.................... 36 BILL 010713 Paul Lonie, Streets............................. 37 Martin Soffer, City Planning.................... 37 Paul Deegan, PIDC, PAID......................... ) BILL 010714 Paul Lonie, Streets............................. 41 Martin Soffer, City Planning.................... 42 BILL 010716 Paul Lonie, Streets............................. 43 BILL 010741 Paul Lonie, Streets............................. 45 Martin Soffer, City Planing..................... 46 BILL 020051 Paul Lonie, Streets............................. 48 Martin Soffer, City Planning.................... 49 M. Volpe, Logan Square Neighborhood Association 50 BILL 020073 Paul Lonie, Streets............................. 52 Martin Soffer, City Planning.................... 53 BILL 020074 Paul Lonie, Streets............................. 54 Martin Soffer, City Planning.................... 55 John Meechum, St. Ignatius Nursing Home......... 56 BILL 020096 Paul Lonie, Streets............................. 57 Martin Soffer, City Planning.................... 57 BILL 020120 Paul Lonie, Streets............................. 59 Martin Soffer, City Planning.................... 60 M. , Counsel, Mastromarco Brothers... 61 Grace Gibson, Quality Heating & Sheet Metal..... 62 BILL 020121 Paul Lonie, Streets............................. , L&I.......................... 70 BILL 010497 E. Lowery, Phila.
Veterans Advisory Commission 80 Richard Dixon, Philadelphia Parking Authority 100 Thomas Finnerty, Director, Veterans Advisory... 103 Al Thompson.................................... 105 John Plenskofski, Veteran...................... 119 Bob Bartlett, former Marine Corps Sergeant..... 146 4 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 010636
Good afternoon, everyone. Good afternoon, everyone. This is the Committee on Streets and Services. We are here today to have a public hearing. If anyone wishes to testify, aside from the departments, the City departments, would you please see the gentleman behind me, David, and give him your name and the bill that you wish to testify on. Committee members in attendance today are Councilwoman Donna Reed Miller, Councilman Darrell Clarke, Councilman Wilson Goode, Jr., Councilman David Cohen, and Councilman Richard Mariano. Bill No. 020118 is being withdrawn. The clerk will read the title of the first bill. What we will do is, we may take the bills not in the order in which they may be on the calendar. What we try to do is get the bills that we understand will have no testimony, or the least amount of testimony, to get those out quicker so you don't have to wait all day for those bills. We're pretty successful in doing that, and we're going to try to do that again today. Okay, the clerk will read the title of 5 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 010636 the first bill to be heard.
Bill 010636, an ordinance 4 regulating the direction of movement of traffic on Pickering Street from Greenwood Avenue to Vernon Road.
Is there anyone here to testify on that bill? Please approach the witness table and please identify yourself for the record. Also let the record note that Councilman Rizzo is now in attendance as well as. Thank you. (Witness comes forward.)
Good afternoon, Chairman and committee members. My name is Charles Denny, the Assistant Chief Traffic Engineer, and I'm here to testify on Bill 010636. The Streets Department supports this bill. We posted the regulation on February 1st and --
Excuse me, excuse me. The public hearing is now in session, and I would ask those who need to have conversations if they would do so outside of the chambers. It's very 6 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 010636 difficult to hear the witnesses. Thank you. Thank you. Please proceed.
The Streets Department supports this bill. We posted this regulation on February 1, 2002. We have no negative reports from the neighborhood.
Anyone else here who wishes to testify on the billions bill? (No response.)
Hearing none -- I also note for the record that Councilman Ortiz, who's also a member of the Streets and Services Committee, is now here as well. - - - 7 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 020090
The clerk will please read the title of the next bill.
Bill No. 020090, an ordinance 5 establishing a no-truck parking regulation on the 8200 block of Temple Road, both sides, from Mt. Airy Avenue to Mt. Pleasant Avenue.
Good afternoon. Again, my name is Charles Denny. I'm here to testify on Bill 12 020090. The Streets Department has no objections to this bill, but we did do recommend the regulation be posted under trial ordinance. A hearing will be held six months, and the area residents and businesses would have an opportunity to comment on this regulation at that time after seeing how the regulation operates. We have issued a work order to post the signs, and they should be installed shortly.
Anyone else here who 8 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 020090 wishes to testify on this bill? (No response.)
Hearing none, the clerk will read the title of the next bill. - - - 9 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010637
Bill 010637, an ordinance 3 granting permission to Aspen Street Corporation, owner of Rembrandt's, to operate and maintain an open-air sidewalk cafe on the north footway of Aspen Street, adjacent to 741 through 743 North 23rd Street, under certain terms and conditions. (Witness comes forward.)
Good afternoon, Chairman and members of the committee. My name is Nancy Sen, and I'm an engineering supervisor with the Streets Department, and I'm here to testify on Bill No. 13 010637 on behalf of the Department. This bill authorizes Aspen Street Corporation, owner of Rembrandt's Restaurant, to operate an open-air sidewalk cafe on the northeast corner of 23rd and Aspen Streets. Ten tables are proposed on the north footway of Aspen Street, no 19 rails will be used, a minimum of eight feet of clear width will be maintained for pedestrians. All encroachments leave adequate width and clearance of unobstructed footway. Therefore, the Streets Department has no 24 objection to the passage of this bill.
Thank you. 10 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES - BILL 010637 Any questions for this witness? (No questions.)
Anyone else here who wishes to testify on this bill? (No response.)
Hearing none, the clerk will read the title of the next bill. - - - 11 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010693
Bill No. 3 010693, an ordinance authorizing Charles McNeil, owner of the property located at 432 South 48th Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19143, to construct, use, and maintain a wooden deck extension with support columns on and over the south footway of Osage Avenue, adjacent to the property 432 South 48th Street, all under certain terms and conditions.
Good afternoon, Chairman and members of the committee. Again, my name is Nancy Sen, and I'm an engineering supervisor with the Streets Department, and I'm also here to testify on Bill No. 010693 on behalf of the Department. This bill allows Mr. Charles McNeil to construct and maintain a deck extension projecting into the south footway of Osage Avenue from the side of his two-story, end-rowhouse property known as 432 South 48th Street. The Streets Department has reviewed plans for this deck. The deck will leave a clear footway width of approximately nine feet. This encroachment leaves adequate width and clearance of unobstructed footway. Therefore, the Streets Department has no 25 objection to the passage of the bill. 12 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010693
Anyone else here who wishes to testify on this bill? (No response.)
Hearing none, the clerk will read the title of the next bill. - - - 13 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010720
Bill No. 010720, an ordinance 3 amending Section 4 of an ordinance (Bill No. 4 000262), entitled "An ordinance authorizing Whole Foods Market Group, Inc., tenant of the property located at 929 South Street. Philadelphia, PA, 19147, to construct and maintain various encroachments in and on the north footway of South Street and the east footway of Tenth Street, adjacent to the property 929 South Street," all under certain terms and conditions, by extending the period for compliance with the authorization and conditions therein.
Good afternoon, Chairman and members of the committee. Again, my name is Nancy Sen, and I'm an engineering supervisor with the Streets Department, and I'm here to testify on Bill 18 No. 010720 on behalf of the Department. This bill authorizes Whole Foods Market Group, Inc., tenants of the property located at 929 South Street, to extend the period for compliance of the terms of the original bill (Bill No. 000262). Whole Foods wishes to construct and maintain the following encroachments on the public rights-of-way surrounding the Fresh Fields Supermarket: 14 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010720 Seven brick face planters on the north footway of South Street; Two brick face planters on the east footway of Tenth Street; Three metal bike racks in the north footway of South Street; and A metal pipe bollard located in the east footway of Ninth Street, near Rodman Street. The Streets Department has reviewed the construction plans for this project and has no 12 objection to the passage of the bill.
Anyone else here who wishes to testify on this bill? (No response.)
Hearing none, the clerk will read the title of the next bill. - - - 15 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 020097
Bill 020097, an ordinance 3 granting permission to Raju Desai and Nehal Desai, owners of the newsstand located at the southeast corner of Broad Street and Chestnut Streets, to construct, use, and maintain an electrical conduit and an electrical service line and telecommunications conduit and telephone service line in and under the public rights-of-way of Chestnut Street for the purpose of supplying electrical service and telephone service to their newsstand, under certain terms and conditions.
Good afternoon, Chairman and members of the committee. My name is Nancy Sen, and I'm an engineering supervisor with the Streets Department, and I'm here to testify on Bill No. 17 020097 on behalf of the Department. This bill grants permission to Raju Desai and Nahal Desai, owners of the newsstand located on the southeast corner of Broad and Chestnut Street, to construct, use, and maintain underground electrical and telephone service lines in and under the public rights-of-way of Chestnut Street for the purpose of supplying electrical and telephone service to their newsstand. 16 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 020097 The Streets Department has reviewed the construction plans for this project and has no 4 objection to the passage of the bill.
Anyone else here who wishes to testify on this bill? (No response.)
Hearing none, the clerk will read the title of the next bill. - - - 17 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 020141
Bill 020141, an ordinance 3 authorizing Buca Restaurants, Inc., a tenant of the property 1501 through 1509 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19102, to construct and maintain two statues in the west footway of 15th Street adjacent to the property 1501 through 1509 Spruce Streets, all under certain terms and conditions.
Good afternoon, Chairman and members of the committee. My name is Nancy Sen, and I'm an engineering supervisor with the Streets Department, and I'm here to also testify on Bill No. 13 020141 on behalf of the Department. This bill authorizes Buca Restaurants, Inc. to install and maintain two concrete statues with anchored bases on and above the public footways of South 15th Street for the restaurant being developed in the Avenue of the Arts parking garage commercial first-floor space. The statues encroach into the west footway of 15th Street and are approximately 6-feet-8-inches high, leaving a minium clear footway passage of 10-foot-4-inches. The statues leave adequate width and clearance of unobstructed footway. Therefore, the Streets Department has no 18 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 020141 objection to the passage of the bill.
Anyone else here who wishes to testify on this bill? (No response.)
Hearing none, the clerk will read the title of the next bill. - - - 19 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010715
Bill No. 010715, an ordinance 3 to authorize the Water Commissioner, on behalf of the City, to enter into an agreement with C.I.P. Housing L.P., the owner of the property at 38 through 60 West Rittenhouse Street for the grant of right-of-way to the City for drainage, sewer, water, and water main purposes, extending from the southeasterly line of Rittenhouse Street to approximately 121 feet southeasterly of the southeasterly line of Rittenhouse, under certain terms and conditions. (Witness comes forward.)
Good afternoon, gentlemen, Committee members. My name is Paul McCloskey, with the City Water Department. I'd like to testify on this bill and also an accompanying bill, Bill No. 010717. Basically, these two ordinances authorize two right-of-way agreements granted by C.I.P. and also to the Water Department for a 50-foot drainage right-of-way through 38 through 60 Rittenhouse Street and also through 5830 through 5838 Germantown Avenue. 20 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010715 A firm known as C.I.P. Housing is currently constructing a retirement center for low- to moderate-income people at 3850 West Rittenhouse Street, near the corner of Germantown Avenue. The center is fully funded. The corner of Germantown Avenue and Rittenhouse Street, which is 5830 through 38 Germantown Avenue, is an outreach center owned and operated by Vincent Villa, a subsidiary of St. Vincent DePaul Roman Catholic Church. The two groups work in unison to service the community. In order to construct the project, C.I.P. Housing must relocate an existing City sewer through their property and Vincent Villa's property. The new sewer is being built to City standards and under City inspection. In order for the City to accept the relocated sewer, C.I.P. Housing and Vincent Villa must grant the above bills authorizing the acceptance of the rights-of-way. In addition to the testimony I have submitted, I would also like to bring out that Brother Alvin Smith of St. Vincent DePaul's Roman Catholic Church, without his help and understanding, this project would not have been able to have gone through. He's a giant in the community. 21 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010717 I recommend that these bills be favorably voted out of committee.
Okay. The clerk will read the title of that bill; we never got that into the record.
Bill No. 010717, an ordinance 14 to authorize the Water Commissioner, on behalf of the City, to enter into agreement with Villa Vincent, Inc., the owner of the property at 5830 through 5838 Germantown Avenue for the grant of right-of-way to the City for drainage, sewer, and water main purposes extending westerly of Germantown Avenue, thence northerly to the southeasterly line of Rittenhouse Street, under certain terms and conditions.
Thank you. Any questions for this witness? (No questions.) 22 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010717
Anyone else here who wishes to testify on this bill? (No response.)
Hearing none, the clerk will read the title of the next bill. - - - 23 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 020091
Bill 020091, an ordinance 3 authorizing the construction of sewers and appurtenant work in portions of Green Lane.
Yes. Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, my name, again, is Paul McCloskey, City of Philadelphia Water Department. Bill No. 020091 authorizes the Water Department to construct a sanitary sewer in Green Lane from Broad Street to Old York Road. Green Lane is a mixed block of single-family dwellings and houses converted to apartments on the south side and the DeBenedict old cemetery on the north side. The street is located in the West Oak Lane/Fern Rock section of the City. The block is currently being serviced by individual cess pools for each property. These onsite systems have outlived their usefulness and require a total replacement. However, it is doubtful, under the current Commonwealth regulations, that the systems will be allowed to be rebuilt. The malfunctioning of septic systems have created an unsanitary condition. In light of the fact that the residents 24 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 020091 are serviced by public water, the residents have requested a public sewer. Assessment shall be levied against the owners having frontage in order to absorb a portion of the cost of construction, and the residents shall be required to connect to the new sewer at their cost, in accordance with City code. We recommend that these bills be favorably reported out of committee.
Thank you. Any questions for this witness? Councilman Rizzo.
It's an interesting issue about the number of septic systems that we have throughout the City, and I would hope and I think we need to do some -- we really need to start visiting that issue, because I understand we have a few thousands of these throughout the far Northeast, Somerton in the northwest. And I'm hoping that we could identify these water-only customers and start to do something about this. Some of these systems are over a hundred years old. And I don't know the quality of the maintenance that these systems receive, but I 25 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 020091 really think this is an issue that the Water Department should be out front on. And I would appreciate -- when I had a conversation with Dick Roy, Commissioner Roy, many, many months ago, and I think we really need to start looking at this as a citywide issue to determine how many systems we have out there, what the possibilities are of running and connecting to -- and I'm realistic, I understand that there are some areas where there's no main to hook up to, and it would be very, very, very expensive. But, again, the quality of the onsite systems that we have, the health ramifications of systems that aren't functioning properly, I really think it's something that we need to look at. So I would appreciate you going back and telling the Commissioner that I think we really need to look at that, and I'd appreciate him reaching out to me to reestablish that conversation.
Am I right that there may be as many as over 2,000 systems?
To my knowledge, there's 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 020091 200 miles of water-only customers in the City of Philadelphia?
There are 200 miles of frontage of houses that do not have public sewer; they're water only.
These could be private sewers, or it could be cesspools. It's unique in that South Philly and also in North Philly, there are also a number of private sewers. As the town grew, the City could not keep up, but private developers could. We address them as they come up. Obviously, there are areas that may never get them because of the terrain.
But I think it's something that we really should be focused on, to not wait to have a serious health issue that we need to deal with, especially if they're confined to a specific community where all of a sudden, we could have a serious problem. 27 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 020091
All right, another guy. Okay. Any other questions from the committee for this witness? (No further questions.)
Anyone else here who wishes to testify on this bill? (No response.) - - - 28 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 020122
Before we read the title for the next bill, for the record, I want to let the committee know that Bill No. 020122 is being held at the request of the sponsor, Councilman Clarke. - - - 29 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 020093
Please proceed with the reading of the title of the next bill.
Bill No. 020093, an ordinance 5 authorizing the construction of sanitary sewers and appurtenant work in portions of Brierdale Road and Graykyn Lane.
Again, gentlemen, my name is Paul McCloskey, with the City of Philadelphia Water Department. Bill No. 020093 authorizes the Water Department to construct a sanitary sewer at Brierdale Road from (indiscernible) Road to Graykyn Lane, and in Graykyn Lane from Ridge Avenue to Brierdale Road. Graykyn Lane and Brierdale Road are blocks of single-family dwellings in the upper Roxborough section of the City. The properties are currently being served by individual cesspools for each property. These onsite systems have outlived their usefulness and require a total replacement. Again, it is doubtful that the Commonwealth regulations will allow systems to be rebuilt. Malfunctioning septic systems can create an unsanitary condition. In light of the fact that the residents 30 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 020093 are served by public water, residences have requested a public sewer. Assessments should be levied against the owners having frontage in order to absorb a portion of the cost of construction, and the residents shall be required to connect the new sewer at their costs, in accordance with City code. We recommend that the bill be favorably reported out of committee.
Thank you. Any questions for this witness? (No questions.)
Anyone else here who wishes to testify on this bill? (No response.)
Hearing none, the clerk will read the title of the next bill. - - - 31 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 020098
Bill No. 020098, an ordinance 3 authorizing the construction of a water main and appurtenant work in portions of Sigel Street.
Again, my name is Paul McCloskey with the City of Philadelphia Water Department. Bill No. 020098 authorizes the Water Department to construct a water main in Sigel Street from 11th Street to a dead-end approximately 204 feet west of 11th Street. Primarily, Sigel Street consists of rear garages that were subdivided from rowhouse properties on Mifflin and Moore Streets. The street is located in South Philadelphia. The garages are utilized by various small businesses of store houses and workshops. The businessmen are cabinet-makers, plumbers, painters, roofers, and so on. A sausage factory is also present. When the garages were subdivided from the rowhouses, the water feeds from the houses were terminated. The businessmen have petitioned the City to provide a public water main in order to operate their businesses. The street currently has an existing sewer in need of replacement. As part of 32 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 020098 the sewer reconstruction project, the water main will be added. This will provide a substantial savings for the construction of the new utility. In order to encourage the development of small businesses to the area, we recommend this bill 7 be favorably reported out of committee. Assessments shall be levied against the owners having frontage in order to absorb a portion of the cost of construction, and the residents will be required to connect to the new water main in accordance with City code.
Thank you. Any questions for this witness? (No questions.)
Anyone else here who wishes to testify on this bill? (No response.)
Hearing none, the clerk will read the title of the next bill. - - - 33 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010608
Bill No. 010608, an ordinance 3 authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 307 by striking from the City Plan and vacating Cuthbert Street from 17th Street to 18th Street, under certain terms and conditions. (Witnesses come forward.)
Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman and members of the Committee. My name is Paul Lonie, Survey Bureau Manager of the Department of Streets, and the Department of Streets would like to offer the following testimony on Bill No. 010608. This is not an administration ordinance 16 but an ordinance requested by Mr. John Gatuso, Senior Vice President, National Marketing Urban Development of Liberty Property Trust, 65 Valley Street, Parkway Great Valley Corporate Center, Malvern, Pennsylvania. The purpose of this ordinance to strike and vacate Cuthbert Street to build a 52-story office complex. This ordinance is supported by the Department of Streets, and is recommended to your committee for favorable recommendation. 34 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010608
Good afternoon, Chairman DiCicco and members of the Streets and Service Committee. My name is Martin Soffer, and today I'm here to present testimony on behalf of the Philadelphia City Planning Commission. The purpose of this ordinance is to remove a minor street and allow for the construction of a 52-story, 71,000-square-foot office building, and at a later date, a 17-story, 19,000-square-foot building. Therefore, by action at its meeting on November 15, 2001, the Planning Commission recommends that Bill No. 010608 be approved. Thank you.
Thank you. Any questions for this witness? (No questions.)
Anyone else here who wishes to testify on this bill? (No response.)
Hearing none, the clerk will read the title of the next bill. - - - 35 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010621
Bill No. 010621, an ordinance 3 amending Section 2 of an ordinance (Bill No. 4 990606), approved June 24, 1999, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 120 by striking from the City Plan and vacating Sharswood Street from 22nd Street to 23rd Street, by striking from the City Plan and vacating Harlan Street from 22nd Street to 23rd Street, and by reserving and placing on the City Plan a certain right-of-way for gas main purposes," all under certain terms and conditions, by extending the time for compliance with the conditions stated therein.
Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman and members of the Committee. My name is Paul Lonie, Survey Bureau Manager of the Department of Streets, and the Department of Streets would like to offer the following testimony on Bill No. 010621. This is not an administration ordinance, but an ordinance requested by Requested by the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia, 1234 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19107. The purpose of this ordinance is to extend the compliance time of an ordinance approved 36 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010621 June 24, 1999. The purpose of that ordinance was to grant the legal authority to strike these streets to facilitate the development of the Sharswood Apartments. This ordinance is supported by the Department of Streets and is recommended to your committee for favorable action.
Good afternoon, Chairman and members of the Streets and Services Committee. My name is Martin Soffer, with the City Planning Commission. The purpose of this ordinance is to facilitate the construction of the proposed Sharswood Apartments located in North Philadelphia. Therefore, by its action of its meeting of May 20, 1999, the Planning Commission recommends approval of Bill No. 010621. Thank you.
Thank you. Any questions for this witness? (No questions.)
Anyone else here who wishes to testify on this bill? (No response.) 37 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010713
Hearing none, the clerk will read the title of the next bill. - - -
Bill No. 010713, an ordinance 6 authorizing the revision lines grades on a portion of City Plan No. 194 by striking from the City Plan and vacating Bodine Street from Diamond Street to Susquehannah Avenue, under certain terms and conditions.
Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman and members of the Committee. My name is Paul Lonie, Survey Bureau Manager of the Department of Streets, and the Department of Streets would like to offer the following testimony on Bill No. 010713. This is not an administration ordinance 17 but an ordinance requested by Mr. Paul Deegan of PIDC, 2600 Centre Square West, 1500 Market Street. The purpose of this ordinance is to legally close Bodine Street to expand an existing industrial building within the Empowerment Zone. This ordinance is supported by the Department of Streets and is recommended to your committee for favorable action.
Good afternoon, Chairman and 38 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010713 members of the Streets and Services Committee. My name is Martin Soffer. The purpose of this ordinance is to facilitate the consolidation of land and the construction of a 50,000-square-foot industrial building located in the North American Street Enterprise Zone. By action at its meeting of January 16, 2002, the Planning Commission recommends approval of Bill No. 010713. Thank you.
Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman and members of the committee. My name is Paul Deegan, D-E-E-G-A-N. I represent PIDC and PAID, the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development. Without duplicating what Mr. Lonie and Mr. Soffer have said, we're the party that's interested in the ordinance. I have submitted written testimony. I also have a plan, if the Committee would like to see the location of the street being stricken. What we're doing under the lead of the Commerce Department is assembling to complete the 39 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010713 block between Third Street, American Street, Diamond Street, and Susquehannah Avenue. There are a number of vacant and blighted residential, commercial, and industrial properties, and we're trying to create new development sites in the American Street Empowerment Zone. Most of the properties are vacant; some are already in City ownership or PAID ownership. By removing a small street and rezoning the blight with G2 industrial, which was heard this morning by the Rules Committee, so, Mr. Chairman, if this all sounds familiar, you heard the same testimony this morning. By striking the street, we will create a site with adequate size and depth for a modern industrial building. The Commerce Department and PIDC are working with an existing company, Reline Centers of America, for the redevelopment of this site. Reline is located at 148 Poplar Street, and they're being relocated as part of the Schmidt's Plaza retail development. They intend to build a new 50,000- square-foot warehouse, and they intend to retain their 30 existing jobs and create 30 new jobs in the 40 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010713 first year. I ask that the committee considerate the bill favorably and that the rules of Council be suspended to permit first reading at the next regularly scheduled meeting of Council. Thank you for the opportunity to testify, and I'll be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Thank you. Any questions for this witness? (No questions.)
Anyone else here who wishes to testify on this bill? (No response.)
Hearing none, the clerk will read the title of the next bill. - - - 41 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010714
Bill No. 010714, an ordinance 3 amending Section 2 of an ordinance (Bill No. 4 990373), approved July 1, 1999, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 207 by striking from the City Plan and vacating 13th Street from Wagner Street southwardly to a SEPTA right-of-way, and by striking from the City plan Duncannon Avenue from Wagner Street to 13th Street," under certain terms and conditions, by extending the period for compliance with the authorization and conditions therein.
Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman and members of the Committee. My name is Paul Lonie, Survey Bureau Manager of the Department of Streets, and the Department of Streets would like to offer the following testimony on Bill No. 010714. This is not an administration ordinance 20 but an ordinance requested by Reverend Harry B. Stewart of the Fair Havens Baptist Church, 1250 Wagner Street. The purpose of this ordinance is to extend the compliance time of an ordinance approved July 1, 1999. The purpose of that ordinance was to 42 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010714 legally close 13th Street and allow the expansion of the grounds of Fair Havens Baptist Church. This ordinance is supported by the Department of Streets and is recommended to your committee for favorable recommendation.
Good afternoon, Chairman and members of the Streets and Services Committee. My name is Martin Soffer. The purpose of this ordinance is to eliminate short-dumping and permit the subject area to be secured and used as a play area for the adjacent child care facility located in Logan. Therefore, by action at its meeting of June 19, 1999, the Planning Commission recommends that Bill No. 010714 be approved. Thank you.
Thank you. Any questions for this witness? (No questions.)
Anyone else here who wishes to testify on this bill? (No response.)
Hearing none, the clerk will read the title of the next bill. 43 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010716
Bill No. 010716, an ordinance 3 authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 284 by relocating a portion of the northerly curbline and house line of Germantown Avenue a variable distance northwardly from a point approximately 719 feet southeast of Northwestern Avenue to a point approximately 400 feet southeastwardly therefrom and by placing on the City Plan a certain 25-feet-wide right-of-way for drainage purposes, water main purposes, and gas main purposes, under certain terms and conditions.
Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman and members of the Committee. My name, again, is Paul Lonie, Survey Bureau Manager of the Department of Streets, and the Department of Streets would like to offer the following testimony on Bill No. 010716. This is an administration ordinance 19 requested by the Streets Department. The purpose of this ordinance is to relocate a portion of the curb and house lines of Germantown Avenue to facilitate the construction of the Germantown Avenue Bridge. This ordinance is supported by the Department of Streets and is recommended to the committee for favorable action. 44 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010716
Thank you. Any questions for this witness? (No questions.)
Anyone else here who wishes to testify on this bill? (No response.)
Hearing none, the clerk will read the title of the next bill. - - - 45 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010741
Bill No. 010741, an ordinance 3 amending Section 2 of an ordinance (Bill No. 4 990834), approved December 30, 1999, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 246 by striking from the City Plan and vacating the legally open portions of 45th Street, Saybrook Street, and Melville Street," under certain terms and conditions, by extending the period for compliance with the authorization conditions therein.
Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman and members of the Committee. My name is Paul Lonie, Survey Bureau Manager of the Department of Streets, and the Department of Streets would like to offer the following testimony on Bill No. 010741. This is not an administration ordinance 18 but an ordinance requested by Mr. Gary Reisel, Vice President for Finance and Administration of the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia. Their address is 600 South 43rd Street, Philadelphia. The purpose of this ordinance is to extend the compliance time of an ordinance approved December 30, 1999. The purpose of that ordinance 25 was to grant the legal authority to strike these 46 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010741 streets and construct a campus plaza walkway and consolidate noncontiguous parcels. This ordinance is supported by the Department of Streets and is recommended to your committee for favorable action.
Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman and members of the Streets and Services Committee. My name is Martin Soffer. The purpose of this ordinance is to vacate two minor streets and permit the consolidation and expansion of the campus of the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia. Likewise, this would allow for the construction of a campus plaza walkway and a new academic building in the University City neighborhood of West Philadelphia. Therefore, by action at its meeting on December 2, 1999, the Planning Commission recommends that Bill No. 010741 be approved. Thank you.
Thank you. Any questions for this witness? (No questions.)
Anyone else here who 47 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010741 wishes to testify on this bill? (No response.)
Hearing none, the clerk will read the title of the next bill. - - - 48 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 020051
Bill 020051, an ordinance 3 authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 307 by striking from the City Plan and vacating Bonsall Street from Race Street northwardly to the Vine Street extension (I-676), more or less, by striking from the City Plan and vacating the western-most ten-foot-wide portion of 23rd Street from Race Street to the Vine Street extension (I-676), more or less, and by striking from the City Plan Summer Street from Bonsall Street northwestwardly to the Vine Street Extension (I-676), more or less, all under certain terms and conditions.
Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman and members of the Committee. My name is Paul Lonie, Survey Bureau Manager of the Department of Streets, and the Department of Streets would like to offer the following testimony on Bill No. 020051. This is not an administration ordinance 21 but an ordinance requested by Mr. Jack Weiner, Esquire, of Askot & Weiner, 1811 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA. The purpose of this ordinance is to strike and vacate these streets to facilitate the 49 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 020051 development of a nine-story apartment building with parking facilities at grade, a five-story garage, and 35 houses. This ordinance is supported by the Department of Streets and is recommended to your committee for favorable action.
Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman and members of the committee. My name is Martin Soffer. The purpose of this ordinance is to permit the assembly of a 4.1-acre parcel of land for development. This action will allow for the construction of a 9-story, 273-unit apartment building, which will also include a 5-story, 410-parking-space garage. Therefore, by action at its meeting on February 20, 2002, the Planning Commission recommends that Bill No. 020051 be approved. Thank you.
Thank you. Any questions for this witness? (No questions.)
Anyone else here who wishes to testify on this bill? 50 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 020051 Please step up to the witness table. (Witness comes forward.)
Good afternoon, sir. Please identify yourself for the record and speak directly into the microphone.
Yes. My name is Michael Volpe, and I am a member of the board of the Logan Square Neighborhood Association. I was authorized by the current president and the board to come and testify on behalf of this bill. At the time -- well, Dennis Mellumium (ph) Corporation was building this proposed project, came to the board, and presented his plans, and the board voted to approve those plans and to support them before the various legislative bodies to which they needed approval. Also, at the time after the board approved the plan, it authorized -- and I, as the then-president of the Neighborhood Association at the time, held a public meeting for all of the affected residents of all of the surrounding streets and the various buildings that look out on the site. That meeting was held. Dennis Mellumium presented his plans before all of those affected residents. 51 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 020051 And at the conclusion of that meeting, the contiguous residents voted to approve the plan.
Thank you. Thank you for your testimony. Anyone else here who wishes to testify on behalf of this bill? (No response.)
Hearing none, the clerk will read the title of the next bill. - - - 52 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 020073
Bill 020073, an ordinance 3 authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 23S by striking from the City Plan and vacating Bambrey Street from Morris Street to Moore Street and by reserving and placing on the City Plan a right-of-way for drainage purposes, water main purposes, and gas main purposes within the lines of Bambrey Street being stricken from the City Plan and vacated under the authority of this ordinance, under certain terms and conditions.
Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman and members of the Committee. My name is Paul Lonie, Survey Bureau Manager of the Department of Streets, and the Department of Streets would like to offer the following testimony on Bill No. 020073. This is not an administration ordinance 19 but an ordinance requested by Mr. Anthony Simariglio, President of Marco Manufacturing. The purpose of this ordinance is to legally close Bambrey Street to prevent crime and illegal dumping. This ordinance is supported by the Department of Streets and is recommended to your committee for favorable action. 53 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 020073
Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman and members of the committee. My name is Martin Soffer. The Planning Commission staff has reviewed this bill, which would permit the adjacent business owners to, first, eliminate short-dumping; and, second, to permit the area to be secured and facilitate truck access to existing loading docks. The City Planning Commission will approve this bill at its next meeting of March 20, 2002. Thank you.
Thank you. Any questions for this witness? (No questions.)
Anyone else here who wishes to testify on this bill? (No response.)
Hearing none, the clerk will read the title of the next bill. - - - 54 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 020074
Bill No. 020074, an ordinance 3 authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 107 of an area bounded by Fairmount Avenue, 44th Street, Haverford Avenue and 46th Street, by striking from the City Plan and vacating Melville Place from Fairmount Avenue to a dead-end southwardly, Lex Street from Fairmount Avenue to Melon Place, and Melon Place from 44th Street to a dead-end westwardly; by striking from the City Plan and vacating the southern-most 38-feet-wide portion of Fairmount Avenue from a point 80 feet by west of Lex Street and by striking from the City Plan and abandoning a certain 14-foot-wide right-of-way extending from Melville Place to 46th Street, and a certain variable width right-of-way to extending from Melon Place to former Wallace Street, under certain terms and conditions.
Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman and members of the Committee. My name is Paul Lonie, Survey Bureau Manager of the Department of Streets, and the Department of Streets would like to offer the following testimony on Bill No. 020074. This is not an administration ordinance 25 but an ordinance requested by Diamond Associates 55 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 020074 Real Estate Development, who represents St. Ignatius Nursing Home. The purpose of this ordinance is to legally close these unpaved streets to allow St. Ignatius Nursing Home to develop an additional facility for independent elderly housing across the street from its present location. This ordinance is supported by the Department of Streets and is recommended to your committee for favorable action.
Good afternoon, Chairman and members of the committee. My name is Martin Soffer. The Planning Commission staff has reviewed this bill, which would permit the consolidation of land for the construction of a 46-unit nursing home located in the Mill Creek neighborhood of West Philadelphia. The planning staff will recommend that the Planning Commission approve this bill at its next meeting of March 20, 2002. Thank you.
Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman. 56 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 020074
Good afternoon. Please identify yourself for the record.
John Meechum, Associate Administrator at St. Ignatius Nursing Home. We wish the committee to approve this bill. This is the first phase in the development of a three-phase project to independent housing with supportive services for the elderly on this site. Thank you.
Thank you. Thank you for your testimony. Any questions from the committee? (No questions.)
Hearing none, the clerk will read the title of the next bill. - - - 57 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 020096
Bill 020096, an ordinance 3 authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 231 by relocating certain portions of Canton Street from Leverington Avenue northwestwardly to a point approximately 200 feet northwestwardly therefrom, under certain terms and conditions.
Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman and members of the Committee. My name is Paul Lonie, Survey Bureau Manager of the Department of Streets, and the Department of Streets would like to offer the following testimony on Bill No. 020096. This is an administration ordinance 15 requested by Judge Pamela Pryor-Dembe. The purpose of this ordinance is to align Canton Street with the existing physical locations and conditions. This ordinance is supported by the Department of Streets and is recommended to your committee for favorable action.
Good afternoon, Chairman and members of the committee. My name is Martin Soffer. The Planning Commission staff has reviewed this bill, which would realign the paper street to the actual, physical built street. The 58 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 020096 City Planning Commission staff will recommend that the City Planning Commission approve this bill at its next meeting of March 20, 2002. Thank you.
Thank you. Any questions for this witness? (No questions.)
Anyone else here who wishes to testify on this bill? (No response.)
Hearing none, the clerk will read the title of the next bill. - - - 59 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 020120
Bill No. 020120, an ordinance 3 authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 358 by striking from the City Plan Whitten Street from Haldeman Avenue to Jamison Street and by placing on the City Plan Reilly Road and Conwell Avenue, all under certain terms and conditions, including the dedication to the City, free and clear of all encumbrances, of the beds of Reilly Road and Conwell Avenue.
Mr. Chairman, the Streets Department would like to offer an amendment to this bill at the request of Councilman O'Neill. Would you like me to read that into the record?
I don't know if we have to read it into the record. The stenographer has a copy. There's one correction. To the stenographer: It should be at the last sentence in Section e. "The agreement shall provide that this work be completed within three years," as opposed to one year. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. My name is, again, Paul Lonie, Survey 60 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 020120 Bureau Manager of the Department of Streets, and the Department of Streets would like to offer the following testimony on Bill No. 020120. This is not an administration ordinance 6 but an ordinance requested by Mr. Carl Mastromarco, President of Marco Brothers Incorporated, 946 Rosa Avenue, Croyden. The purpose of this ordinance is to strike and vacate Whitten Street from the City Plan and place Reilly Road and Conwell Avenue all on the City Plan to facilitate the development of 50 new single-family dwellings. This ordinance is supported by the Department of Streets and is recommended to your committee for favorable action.
Good afternoon, Chairman and members of the committee. My name is Martin Soffer. The purpose of this ordinance is to place new streets to allow for the construction of 50 single-family detached dwellings on 13.7 acres of ground. The Planning Commission approved the preliminary plat of subdivision on October 17, 2001. Therefore, the Planning Commission recommends 61 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 020120 approval of Bill No. 020120. Thank you.
Thank you. Any questions from the committee for these witnesses? (No questions.)
I know there are a number of witnesses who would like to testify. If you would approach the witness table at this time. Paul and Marty, maybe if you could just slide over to the other chairs. (Witnesses come forward.)
Whoever is testifying on this bill, please approach the witness table. Just one testifying? Mr. Stack, are you going first, or IS the young lady going first, or...
Oh, I think I can save the committee some time. I have the Mastromarco brothers present in Council chambers, and they're prepared to answer any questions that the members of the committee might have. Otherwise, I am not going to offer any testimony from the Mastromarco brothers. 62 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 020120 I understand that the witness Grace Gibson would like to offer some testimony, which she has assured me is brief.
Before you begin, Miss Gibson, I just would like to ask Mr. Stack on behalf of his clients, you've had an opportunity to read the amendments, and we had a discussion at sidebar earlier today?
Just for the record, thank you. Thank you, ma'am, you may proceed.
Good afternoon. I would like to thank the committee for giving me the time to express our feelings and comments. My name is Grace Gibson, and I am an HVAC contractor, and my company is Quality Heating & Sheet Metal, and it has been in business for 33 63 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 020120 years. As a certified WDBE, I have the opportunity to bid on City-funded work and expand my opportunities for private projects as well as. Two of my current jobs are Raymond Rosen Phase III, 153 houses; and the Federal Street scattered sites, 54 houses. We employ experienced, qualified sheet- metal mechanics. I have worked for Mastromarco, Marco Brothers on several jobs for the past seven years. Grand Manor, which is the project, is 50 beautiful homes with style and grace, which will only enhance and elevate the community surrounding it. Most private builders hire a superintendent to run their jobs. Marco Brothers do not; they personally run their jobs and oversee every aspect of every trade. They also hire subcontractors who have good reputations and good track records. Marco Brothers are the first on the job and the last to leave. In conclusion, I thank you very much for your consideration.
Thank you. Councilman Rizzo? 64 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 020120
I just wanted to ask the counsel about the definition of "work to be completed," but I think I've read this amendment now, and I think I understand it better. But do you have any concern about "the agreement shall provide that this work be completed within three years." The definition of "completed," I think, should be clarified so there's no gray area here.
I'm satisfied that we should be off the job in less than three years, but three years is fine
But completed, does that mean if something isn't -- if in one particular dwelling, the garage door's not on, does that mean that it's not completed?
Yeah, can I answer that question? In this agreement, what it will state is not so much that the houses necessarily have to be completed. What we're looking for in this, and what the Councilman was looking for, is the infrastructure will be completed: The roads will be 65 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 020120 there, the sidewalks will be there, the curbs will be there. Whether the garage doors meet all of the neighbors' needs is not a part of this agreement.
But, again, I understood that after I read it carefully, that we're talking about the manhole covers, light posts, hydrants, valves, etc. But, again, it's kind of vague when you use "completed." "Completed" to you could be different than they perceive it, and I think the word "completed" should be addressed here so we understand what it exactly means.
Well, again, what this does is, it authorizes the Streets Department to enter into an agreement with these folks, and if they're not satisfied with it, it just authorizes us to enter into a contract with them. If they're not satisfied with the terms of that contract, that's always open for negotiation. So that's what we'll do with that --
Councilman Rizzo, 66 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 020120 are you offering an amendment to remove the word "completed"? Would you like to offer that?
I am, Councilman, and I appreciate you nailing the City down on what they're looking for.
Thank you. Any other questions for these witnesses from the committee? (No further questions.)
Anyone else here who wishes to testify? (No response.)
To the Mastromarco family: Buona fortuna! Have a nice day.
I don't want to be out of line, but the next ordinance also relates to this job.
We will read the title to the next one. - - - 67 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES BILL 020121
Bill 020121, an ordinance 3 authorizing the paving of Reilly Road and Conwell Avenue, under certain terms and conditions.
Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman and members of the Committee. My name is Paul Lonie, Survey Bureau Manager of the Department of Streets, and the Department of Streets would like to offer the following testimony on Bill No. 020121. This is not an administration ordinance 11 but an ordinance requested by Requested by Mr. Carl Mastromarco, President of Marco Brothers, Incorporated. The purpose of this ordinance is to pave Reilly Road and Conwell Avenue and to facilitate the development of 50 new single-family dwellings. This ordinance is supported by the Department of Streets and is recommended to your committee for favorable action.
Thank you. Any questions for these witnesses from the committee? (No questions.)
Anyone else here who wishes to testify on this bill? 68 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES BILL 020121 (No response.)
Hearing none, the clerk will read the title of the next bill. And thank you, thank you for your testimony. - - - 69 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 020117
Bill No. 020117, an ordinance 3 amending Section 9-204 of the Philadelphia Code, entitled "Sidewalk Vendors in Center City," by exempting sidewalk sales by owners and tenants of properties in the 900, 1000, 1100, 1200, and 1300 blocks of Pine Street, and permitting such activity under certain terms and conditions.
While the witnesses are coming up, I would like to take this time also to thank the Mastromarco family for their continuing not only interest, but faith, in the City of Philadelphia and for building new homes. Thank you for taking the time, and I know you do quality work, so I appreciate, on behalf of all of us, your interest in continuing developing market-rate housing in the City of Philadelphia. Thank you. (Witnesses come forward.)
Mr. Chairman, before I finish, I'd like to request a waiver of the rules on all of the bills testified on by the Streets Department this afternoon.
You got it. Done deal. Thank you. 70 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 020117
Good day, Councilman DiCicco and members of the committee. I am Otis Haigler, Jr., Legislative & Regulatory Affairs Manager for the Department of Licenses and Inspections. Accompanying me today is Gerald Richards, Jr., the chief of our Business Compliance Unit. Today I am here to provide testimony on Bill 020117, which, if enacted, will permit owners and tenants of properties in the 900, 1000, 1100, 1200, and 1300 blocks of Pine Street to sell merchandise on the sidewalk abutting their business. Although Bill 020117, as drafted, will cause no additional fiscal or personnel impact beyond our normal allocation, the Department is concerned that continued amendments to Bill 1205-AA to permit additional vending in Center City might dilute its intent to provide uniformity for vending in Center City and reduce congestion on the public way. Going forward, the Department of Licenses 71 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 020117 and Inspections would welcome an opportunity to work with City Council in assuring that future changes do not jeopardize the goals and focus of Bill 1205-AA and to ensure that the laws regulating vending in Center City promote uniformity. Mr. Richard, based on his experience with the enforcement of vending ordinances, can elaborate on this further following my testimony should there be any questions from the committee. The Department of Licenses and Inspections, as charged with the responsibility for enforcement of Sections 9-204 and 9-205 of the Philadelphia Code related to the licensing of vendors and inspection for compliance, will enforce the provisions of Bill 020117 should Council vote for its passage and the Mayor sign it into law. Thank you. I'll be happy to answer any questions you have at this time.
The last part of that, did you say you recommend it or you don't? I apologize.
That's okay. The Department of Licenses and Inspections, as charged with the responsibility for 72 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 020117 the enforcement of Section 9-204 and 9-205 of the Philadelphia Code related to the licensing of vendors and inspection for compliance, will enforce the provisions of Bill 020117 should Council vote for its passage and the Mayor sign it into law. Thank you. I will be happy to answer questions.
Yeah, I just didn't get the gist of what this bill is about. I didn't see the relationship between vendors and Pine Street.
You know, we're starting to agree again, which is scary, this is scary. What this bill would do is, it would allow the store owners, or operators of shops, on Pine Street from Broad to Tenth?
From the 900 block to the 1300 block of Broad on Pine to sell their 73 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 020117 products, vend their products, within 40 inches from the property line of their building out, which is similar to what we do in other commercial corridors. In South Philadelphia, East Passyunk Avenue comes to mind, and I'm sure there are a few others that are out there. It's for property owners, to allow them to sell their product, their materials, their merchandise within 40 inches of the property line of their building, not along the curbline, just from the property line coming forward. UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: It's Antique Row.
That's what confused me. I was wondering about the connection of --
Well, let me explain. Currently, under the provisions of the Center City vending ordinance, there are 300 vending locations in Center City, and that's it. If anybody else were 74 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 020117 to vend or to sell on the sidewalk, they would need an ordinance to do that in Center City. Outside of Center City, as a general requirement of the code, any store merchant outside of Center City can sell their merchandise in front of their business outside of Center City, but in Center City itself, they would need a special ordinance to do that since there was an ordinance 10 passed by this Council, I believe, back in the early '90s that restricted sales on the sidewalk to 300 locations.
And this ordinance is required because of what? Because Pine Street is not considered --
Because Pine Street is considered a part of Center City, because the area on Pine Street is considered part of Center City.
Because there is a limited number of vendors that were allowed within Center City -- 75 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 020117
There's a limited number of people that are allowed to sell on the sidewalks in Center City, 300 total.
This will not adversely affect the number of vending spots already allocated by the City Council?
It will increase it slightly, but this increase will be limited to the owners of the stores.
And all of the other vending spots are vendors that bear no relationship to the ownership of the stores they may be in front of?
But to my knowledge, there are no other vendors -- there is no vending on these blocks now. And we did a six-month -- maybe even longer, is that right, Mr. Haigler? We did 76 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 020117 about several months of a trial period, if you will, to see how this works out. We put certain conditions on how they can display their merchandise -- no stacking of things, no hanging things from the wall, and that they could not go any further out than the 40 inches so as not to restrict the cartway for public access. And it was basically a bill that was brought to my attention at the request of the majority of the shop owners. Is that a fair assumption?
Okay, thank you. Any other questions for this witness? (No further questions.)
Anyone else here who wishes to testify on this bill? (No response.)
Hearing none, the clerk will read the title of the next bill. - - - 77 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 020049
Insofar as the next bill that would relate to vending, Mr. Beller, aside from Mr. Beller and his clients, is there anyone else here that is here today to testify on that bill? And the number is --
Is there anyone else here to testify on Bill 020049 aside from the vendors? No? Anyone here from -- is it 801 Market, Strawbridge Building? (Individual raises hand.)
You're a vendor or an owner of the building? UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: A vendor.
You're a vendor, all right. Mr. Beller, in cooperation with my colleague, Councilman Clarke, who has a similar issue, we will hold this bill. Thank you. Sorry to keep you waiting, but we discussed that, and that will give the other attorney the opportunity -- and, Mr. Beller, if you would remind Mr. Balka, I believe it is, and I'm not scolding you, but he wants an 78 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 020049 extra month. My colleague Councilman Cohen asked me about this. We'll give him the month, and one month means one month, not months, like 658-A. I'm 5 still waiting for a plan. 6 And, again, I'm not scolding you; just 7 please give him that message. 8
Thank you. 10 The clerk will please read the title of 11 the next bill. 12 - - - 13 14 15 16 17 79 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010497
Bill 010497, an ordinance 3 amending Title 12 of the Philadelphia Code, entitled "Traffic Code," by amending the provisions relating to parking by physically handicapped persons and severely disabled veterans. (Witness comes forward.)
I think you might want to wait to hear their testimony. Thank you. You can sit on the side here. The following witnesses, would you please approach the witness table: Ed Lowery, Tom Finnerty, Al Thompson, and John Plenskofski. (Witnesses come forward.)
Thank you for your patience. So that you understand, I knew that there would be a number of witnesses, and I suspect we're going to engage in probably somewhat of a lengthy dialogue here, and I didn't want to keep the other department heads and other folks waiting around, and that's kind of the way we lay these things out. So thank you for your patience and understanding. And when you're ready, just please identify yourself for the record, and if you have 80 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010497 any written testimony, we'll accept it now; if not, you can begin to recite your testimony.
Good afternoon, Chairman DiCicco and members of the committee. My name is Edward J. Lowery, and I'm a member of the Philadelphia Veterans Advisory Commission; I serve as a commissioner. And I'm also the Executive Director of the Philadelphia Veterans Multiservice and Education Center. I would like to thank the committee for scheduling this hearing in an effort to gather information and hear testimony regarding disabled parking issues and concerns that affect the City of Philadelphia's disabled veterans. I would like to give special thanks to Councilman Mariano for introducing this bill and ask that the bill be approved with an amendment to include disabled veterans in the amendment. S. Department of Veterans Affairs, (indiscernible) Management Assistance Council, the 81 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010497 Philadelphia Vietnam Veterans Memorial Advisory Fund, to mention a few. On the various committees on which I serve, the primary goal and objective is to assist veterans with various problems, concerns, and needs, ultimately to improve their station in life and their community. It is with this objective in mind that I come before you today. Most attentive citizens would admit that disabled parking privileges have been abused. However, the majority of these abuses have been the result of individuals using parking placards. They are passed from car to car, person to person, and those authorizing these placards have disregard for the effects that they have on the City of Philadelphia and those that are affected by losing special privileges. What I would like to do is ask that Philadelphia legitimately look at the disabled that have lost privileges of parking as a result of this abuse. I would like to state that disabled veterans and severely disabled veterans possessing legitimate tags are not abusers in probably most of these cases. S. Department of Veterans Affairs. S. Department, you could then apply to the Commonwealth for a disabled-veteran tag. To the best of my knowledge, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania does not issue a disabled-veteran placard; there is no such thing. In 1986, I participated in the effort, along with many others, asking Councilwoman Spector at that time to introduce the bill that led to the parking access for disabled veterans. Several members of the committee were members of Council at that time when the original ordinance was passed. At that time, the tone of Council was not an effort to comply with the federal American With Disabilities Act or issues relating to reasonable accommodations. The intent of Council at that time was to introduce a bill to show the sensitivity to the needs and concerns of disabled and severely disabled veterans and other groups with the same needs not to meet the minimal requirements of the law. As I mentioned to you in our previous 83 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010497 correspondence, I feel that the committee threw out the baby with the bath water. There have been abuses; however, I think that you will find that our region's disabled and severely disabled veterans were not the abusers. In summary, I would like to say that the committee has made comment that the Eastern Paralyzed Veterans testified -- who gave testimony supporting this bill, Bill No. 00358 [sic] in particular, the bill that led to the loss of parking privileges. The fact is that at the time the Eastern Paralyzed Veterans testified on June 12, 2000, the actual bill had eliminated disabled and severely disabled veterans from parking, the bill 16 did not include disabled or severely disabled veterans, so they were testifying to a bill that did not include disabled and severely disabled veterans losing their privileges. That bill was amended on December 4, 2000, well after they testified. So I think it's important to mention that because I think, you know, for them to testify on behalf of a few to take away the benefits of many would not be in their best interest.
In closing, I would like to say that 84 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010497 tomorrow's veterans are fighting today's war on terrorism. Some will die, others will come home physically and mentally disabled, many will be much different than when they left. I would like to ask the committee to send a message that our city not only strives to meet the minimal requirements of the law in addressing reasonable accommodations for the handicapped and honestly appreciates the service our veterans have provided to our nation in peacetime and in time of need, and it takes care of those veterans when they return. I think it's important to mention that there are less than 50 severely disabled-veteran tags issued in the City of Philadelphia to its residents, and probably less than 300 disabled-veteran tags issued to the over 200,000 veterans that reside in the City of Philadelphia. So I doubt really whether or not those less than 350 tags are going to have a serious impact on the, you know, the income that the City experiences. And, you know, many have said, you know, that if we introduce -- reintroduce this bill to give those benefits back to disabled veterans, that other groups will follow. Well, my response to that 85 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010497 is that, you know, any of the groups that wish to follow, that feel that we're getting special benefits, you know, I think we do, I think we deserve them, and if they would like to do something to get the same benefits, they could join the military -- right now, we could use 'em. And in addition to that, I would like to say that, you know, it's always been our feeling that veterans are not honored by what they receive; they are honored by what they have able to give. So I would hope that this committee and the full Council Committee would take that into consideration. There's a serious problem in Philadelphia for many of the veterans that we service, and it's not just a question of putting the money in the meters. For many of them, it's a question of the fact that there's accessibility. Most of the people that we deal with particularly in our program are disabled, they're homeless. If they're fortunate enough to have a car, they can't afford to pay $15 to go into a lot. And many are in behavioral health counseling, and they can't break up a group or a counseling session to run out and put, you know, 86 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010497 four quarters in a meter. So I think that the tone of Council at the time the original bill was passed that gave us that benefit was really to give a little something special to our city's veterans. I'd be more than glad to answer any questions that you might have.
Thank you, Mr. Lowery. And let me go on the record as saying that I do appreciate what the veterans have done for me as an individual: Gave me the opportunity to be where I am today. Many of my family members are veterans. Fortunately, none of them were disabled, not physically disabled during the second World War or the Korean War. I had a number of friends who served in Vietnam and came back disabled. So I was a prime sponsor of the bill, as you know, and it was never my intention to disrespect anyone, be they veterans or non-veterans, who were disabled. But as you know, and I think you pointed it out in your testimony, the intent of the bill, I think, as is the case with many bills that go through either this City Council or other 87 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010497 municipalities, and even at the state and federal level, all good intentions sometimes become abused at some point. And we have a serious abuse in the City of Philadelphia. You did mention, I think, earlier in your testimony that maybe the City needs to look at the way in which these handicapped placards or plates are issued. Unfortunately, we don't have that authority; that comes from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. So basically, we are -- we have no 12 power as to who gets one. I mean, I can point to people in my neighborhood, and I always use the example of one guy's who's an iron worker, an active, employed iron worker who could pick me and you up on that desk and throw us across the room, but he has a handicapped plate because it was his mother's, whose name the car was in.
Now, she has since passed away, and we have removed the handicapped sign from in front of the residence, but for whatever reason, he still continues to drive a big, black Cadillac with a handicapped plate, and what 88 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010497 that does, to me, is a greater insult to people who are severely disabled veterans and other folks because it really takes away a space, a valuable space, that those folks, I think, should have access to. And it's not easy to always find a total solution that will accommodate everyone's needs. Unfortunately, there are some folks who kind of get tied up into that package that you really don't want to be in that package, but you did mention some interesting numbers somewhere -- I think you said 50 folks in the Philadelphia County are --
In the Philadelphia County. There's actually 44 severely disabled-veteran tags issued to Philadelphia County residents, and although the records are not clear on disabled tags, it's been projected that there are probably in Philadelphia County, there's less than 300, and that, you know, even using that as a number, if you try to correlate or relate that number to the other counties, you know, Philadelphia, for example, probably has, you know, 100-and some-thousand war veterans in our county than in any other five counties that are surrounding. 89 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010497 So if you project that number out, you're looking at probably at any given time less than 500 disabled tags would be in the City, you know, give and take with a little flexibility.
Explain to me -- I could be wrong on this. Are there two different tags that are issued to veterans; one that says "disabled" and the other one that says "severely disabled"?
Are you asking for us to consider only those that say "severely disabled"?
No. What I am hoping for is that both disabled and severely disabled -- and I'll explain the difference.
If a veteran is 10 percent to 90 percent disabled, he could have, for example, both legs off and have a disabled-veteran tag because when a veteran, you know, receives a 90 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010497 disability, 0 to 90 percent, 100 percent or more, what basically happens is, they apply to the Commonwealth for a tag. And basically, based on what they ask for is what they get. Veterans -- and I could probably explain a little better. A lot of veterans, there's probably 60 to 70,000 disabled veterans that live in the Philadelphia surrounding area, but probably less than 500 actually have ever applied for a disabled- veteran tag. It's not like, you know, being in a fraternal group, although the group is a proud group. But -- so that the reason I ask that disabled be included is you could have a double amputee who is rated at 80 percent but has a regular disabled-veteran tag.
I know every case is different. A double amputee may or may not use a wheelchair.
Do you know that presently, under the bill that we passed last year, that if have a vehicle that has a lift, you can park free all day anywhere. Is that correct Mr. Dixon? 91 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010497 I don't want to be misquoted; I'm going by memory. And in addition what we did is, we created -- and I don't know if any other counties do this, but on every metered block, there is a dedicated spot strictly for handicapped vehicles to park in; anyone else who parks there is subject to being towed and a $300 fine. Granted, it is not all day free.
We're in compliance with the State regs that say you get an hour grace period, but at that dedicated spot. And I just want to make sure that you're clear on that. The bill in front of us today deals with severely disabled veterans.
That's why I wanted to make that clear because what I heard you testifying to were both, and the bill just speaks to just severely disabled, and I'll speak to the sponsor of the bill in a moment about that, but I just want to get a couple of more questions if I may. 92 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010497 Do you know if there are any other counties in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania that treat vehicles with severely disabled or disabled tags any different than we are treating them today?
Well, I think because of the nature of Philadelphia being a city of first class, you know, it's hard to relate what we do in Philadelphia to other smaller municipalities. I know that throughout different counties in Pennsylvania that disabled veterans park as we did, without -- I mean, specifically, I haven't done that research, but I could tell you that they do. Harrisburg, I believe, is, for example, one.
I mean, if there are counties in the Commonwealth that have set aside or regs or active legislation, I'd like to see that.
Because I think that 93 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010497 that would give us some sort of a foundation to work from.
I understand what you're saying, that Philadelphia unique because it's a city of the first class, which really means that we have a population of greater than a million.
But meters are, I think, in all the counties installed in commercial corridors. So that to differentiate between a first class and second class city, there really is no 14 differentiating, as far as I'm concerned, because meters are in areas where you'd want turnover for business purposes, all right?
And, again, I'm not being argumentative; I'm just trying to, I think, set the record straight that --
Well, I understand where you're coming from, and I'd like to say that at the time that the bill was passed, I think that your office and many of the Councilpeople received hundreds of calls from disabled veterans and 94 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010497 severely disabled veterans that were affected. And I'd just like to use maybe one or two examples that kind of addresses that issue that you just brought up. In many parts of the City, there are meters in front of residential properties -- Torresdale Avenue, Frankford Avenue, almost throughout the City. We had I don't know how many calls from veterans that live in those particular residential blocks that have meters in front of their home -- 100 percent, 70 percent disabled veterans that couldn't park in front of their own home any longer.
Well, not to cut you short, but if that's the case, I would appreciate you submitting those addresses to me, and I'll speak to Mr. Dixon, who is first shaking his head no about the residential 'cause I don't of that either, but if that is the case, we can straighten that out for you.
Then he just shook head yes. You could submit those to me or Mr. Dixon or Councilman Mariano, whoever you wish to do that, 95 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010497 but I would certainly be more than willing to speak to the District Councilperson, if it's not in my district, about that issue.
Sure. Mr. Dixon -- he did that beautiful article on the fraud and all those people that were abusing these meters and the parking. If he were to read the paper a little closer, I think he would find out there were articles prior to his little thing that particularly spelled out people who lived in residential neighborhoods on -- and I have the article, in fact, in my office that addresses that particular case. You know, and I don't know if any of these other gentlemen are going to address that article, but I think it was a shame. I think that that article really probably festered the veterans and some of the legitimate handicapped people in the City, because it was a disgrace.
Well, again, in my district, I can think of one place off the top of my head on the 1600 block of East Passyunk Avenue, where there's a gentleman who has a handicapped plate -- not disabled veteran, not severely 96 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010497 disabled, just a flat-out handicapped license plate in front of his store, which, I believe, he lives above.
And it's a metered block, and he has handicapped signs in front, so it is dedicated for a handicapped vehicle. So, again, if that is the case on Torresdale Avenue, that's a no-brainer; I'm sure that we can straighten that out. I think I have one more question on this, and then I'll ask if my colleagues have questions for you, or we'll take additional testimony. You testified that you understand that there are other groups that -- or maybe myself or someone else mentioned that in order for us to accommodate your needs, we would have to be concerned with the needs of other folks who are going to come in and say, "Well, what about us? We may not have veterans, but we are severely disabled."
And basically what it would do is tear up the bill that we -- the 97 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010497 legislation that we have now and say it's open for everybody. So we have to deal with that situation. If there is a way under the Uniformity Act constitutionally that we can figure out a way of accommodating what I consider to be a very minimal amount of vehicles, based on your numbers -- and I'm assuming they're accurate numbers -- I certainly would entertain that. Again, as the sponsor of the bill that is in question today, not the bill that's being offered, but the bill that we're dealing with today.
But for me, I just have that concern that other groups are going to come in and say, You can't distinguish between the two; you're either disabled or you're not whether you're a veteran or not. And don't misunderstand me, they're going to say it matters, but it doesn't matter. So I just want that understood. That's why I asked if there are other counties, if you know of other counties that are doing this, you know, we can hold the bill if that's the case and then talk about this. I don't have to run it, and we'll just see if we can get some 98 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010497 information as to other municipalities and what they're doing, if there are special considerations, is there a special placard. I don't know. I mean, that's, I think, the things that we need to find out.
As the sponsor of this bill, I think we're trying to get to one place, but there's a lot of technical questions we have to talk to you -- like, for instance, with Mr. Dixon, but the one I'm thinking of -- and those people that aren't -- don't know all the military slang, I mean, it's just common for you and John and Mr. Finnerty to know -- there's guys with Purple Heart Veterans on their tags, and is that an official tag of the state? Questions like that. But, Mr. Dixon, while we're talking about you, isn't there a way like we created a special district in certain areas in all our areas? Isn't there some kind of way that the veterans, people that have it on their DD 214s, which is a discharge paper, that on there, it should say, "You were 99 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010497 discharged with a disability," correct? Unless you got a prior, then you're (indiscernible), right? 4 Is that the right number? 5
What happens is, a lot of 6 the vets that are discharged are discharged from 7 maybe a medical facility, if they're disabled to a 8 degree, but the disability many times doesn't catch 9 up with them for a couple of years. 10
Okay. Well, let's 11 concentrate on the people that have disability. Is 12 there some kind of official United States government 13 document that we can take to the Parking Authority, 14 and the Parking Authority can say, Tom Finnerty is 15 disabled, and he's disabled to the point that this committee recognizes, and that gives you something we can put in the window, like a sticker or a placard? So that way, we're not worried about the scenarios that Councilman DiCicco's worried about. Is that something we could do, Mr. Dixon, do you think?
There are a number of issues that have been raised -- 100 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010497
Oh, Richard Dixon. I'm the director of off-street parking for the Philadelphia Parking Authority. We have no procedure in place by which we could make a determination about someone's mobility impairment and make a decision about how disabled they may be.
My question is: If the government has a procedure in place and they take that procedure down to the Parking Authority where there's clerks -- they do it all the time for people that live in that 1st District, or whatever you call that --
A permit parking thing, and you got to give whatever it is, like a phone bill or something, or a gas bill -- yeah, there's a way to do that to register your car, so there's got to be a way we -- is there something we could look at?
I'm not aware of a mechanism to do that. If you're asking me to look into that, I can do that, but I'm not prepared to respond to 101 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010497 that at this point. I just don't know. The problem that we face is, we are bound to honor vehicles and give certain privileges based on determinations that are established by the State. The State has established a law that says, This is the criteria under which these plates or placards will be issued. The Veterans Administration's determination of disability, I'm not familiar with at all, so I really couldn't say how that applies.
But I think we can always change the State law if it gets to that somehow, but can we ask you what that is? 'Cause there's some confusion in my mind, at least, is -- you're the expert on that, I suppose. Like, what is the disabled, what's the physically disabled, what's the Purple Heart tag? I see all these things and --
-- disabled-veteran plates get no parking privileges. Severely disabled-veteran plates get one hour beyond the time limit, the same as a person with disability plates. 102 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010497 Purple Heart plates get no parking privileges. That's what the State law has set up. The law that Mr. Lowery referred to was, in 1982, a Council ordinance, which basically said, Anyone that had any of those plates got to park free all day in the City of Philadelphia. And we know what the result of that was. I assume you don't want me to offer testimony at this point; it's just --
Not yet. Mr. Lowery -- and then I'll get on to Tom and everybody else -- have you tried to address this at the Commonwealth level?
Again, I'm not going to fast-forward this hearing, but I have a feeling that that's probably where we want to go, because I believe -- and I'm not an expert on this stuff and I'm not a lawyer, but I have a feeling that if we allow this -- and I certainly agree that we have to make exceptions if we can -- that we're going to open the flood gates and go right back to where we were a year ago, with all of the abuse that's out there. 103 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010497 I mean, it's interesting, if you drive around today, to see the number of blue meters that are unoccupied in those neighborhoods where we installed them. There's been a remarkable healing process that has taken place in this town in the last year.
But, you know, this may not be the end of it. As I said, I don't want to -- if I was voting today, I'll be honest, I would be voting no on the bill, but I don't want to go that fast. I think maybe we need to continue this a little bit further and exhaust everything until we come up with, hopefully, something that is satisfactory, at least to the veterans, to the veterans. Yes, please identify yourself, Tom, for the record.
Thomas Finnerty, Director of the Veterans Advisory. Mr. Chairman, Councilman DiCicco, and chair members, I would like to just speak in favor of this bill. And I'd like to explain, being a combat-wounded veteran that had six bypasses, had my 104 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010497 neck cut the other -- a couple weeks ago. I do have a disabled plate. And the reason I don't -- really I keep the car home so I don't drive in.
Excuse me, Tom, is that a disabled-veteran's plate you're talking about?
The reason it's so important for the veterans to have the plates, when the veterans go to group therapy, they go there, like, at 10 o'clock, and sometime they don't get out till 1:30, 2 o'clock, and it really -- it's not the money issue; it's the idea of getting around because they're handicapped. There's a gentleman that's 100 percent sitting over in the audience, and he's crippled and he can hardly even get around. The disabled handicapped tag, I don't think the veterans were taking advantage of it because of the situation. I never seen them parked around City Hall. For them to come to the office at City Hall, the closest parking place is at Juniper and Arch, and it costs $20, and it's pretty hard. 105 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010497
There's actually one a little bit closer, but that's -- I don't want to get into the semantics of that.
I understand what you're saying. I mean -- I'm sorry, do you have more testimony?
Yeah, I'd just like to finish out with the testimony. I'd just like to read a little something for you. For those who have fought for it, freedom has a flavor of a different (indiscernible) you will never know. Thank you.
Anyone else to testify? My name is Al Thompson, a Fishtown resident, a constituent of Mr. DiCicco's. With these tags, I don't know if the process was explained, but in order to become a severely-disabled veteran, one would have to go through the Veterans Administration process, which is, I would say, completely the opposite of the 106 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010497 process of which people who abuse this privilege in the past had to go through to get their tags. So we're talking about people who didn't just get a doctor to sign a piece of paper to get them a placard; we're talking about people who served our country. And I don't know how many people on the panel here are veterans themselves. I'm not, but I wouldn't want to be the person who denied 400 disabled veterans in our city the opportunity to enjoy a privilege that existed for almost years. 13
I think you would 14 get -- I think everyone up here would be in total 15 agreement with what you're saying. I think I could 16 speak for them. 17 The question again is: Can we, under the 18 Uniformity Act, do this for one group and eliminate 19 the other? And I know this was not about revenue, 20 although some people originally thought it was, but the fact of the matter is, when we enacted the new regulations where you can't park free all day at a meter if you have a handicapped tag, whether it's veterans or non-veterans, in the first month alone, parking revenues in the core of Center City 107 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010497 increased by $175,000. So over the course of the year, we're looking at probably $3 million or more in revenue. Now, again, what is revenue, what is money. It means something, it is doesn't mean something. But there's a ripple effect that occurred in this city since 1982 -- loss of business, loss of tax revenues in addition to the meter revenues, and the inconvenience for truly handicapped people. What was happening, if you don't already know, is that many people were using placards that belonged to a parent, a grandparent, or a family member. They would come into Center City, for example, put the placard on the rearview mirror, go about their business of working eight, ten hours a day, and tie up a valuable place to park. And if memory serves me correct, during peak hours in Center City, the result of that unofficial parking that was going on by people with these placards caused an additional 2,000 vehicles to be on the streets of the core of Center City at peak hours, causing congestion. So there's a lot more to it than just, 108 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010497 you know, do we want to make revenue in parking; that really wasn't the intent. It's for the business community, it's for a lot of other things, and really, we thought we had -- again maybe with the exception of the disabled veterans -- something that was unique by providing a parking place on every metered block in the City of Philadelphia that is strictly dedicated to handicapped-vehicle parking only and complying with the State regulations that give you the extra hour of grace period free.
Well, one thing I'd just like to say in response to that is, if the thought behind that was to free up these spaces for business leaders --
Well, for consumers, for consumers. I mean, you know, it's turnover parking. Meters are installed in commercial corridors everywhere you go, anywhere in this country you go, and in other countries I'm sure, for the purpose of turnover, to keep people from not staying there all day, to keep people from not being able to go and shop and pick up something and go get a bite to eat, because if you had people park there all day, business would be shut down, literally shut 109 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010497 down.
Well, if every one of the 400 or so disabled or severely disabled veterans converged downtown and took over every parking space --
And I'm not suggesting that that will happen. Again, I think it goes to the question of: Can we legally make the distinction between the disabled veteran plate and a non-veteran disabled plate? Can we legally do that? I don't know.
Well, if you're talking about some sort of equal protection suit, the State makes -- and the State and the City make --
But we are bound by certain regulations that are mandated on us by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, we as a city. So, again, I say, without trying to be delaying this whole issue, is that I think you need to go to the State because what you may also be doing, if we can get relief at the State level, 110 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010497 you're not only talking about Philadelphia, but this would apply to all of the counties throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in addition to Philadelphia County.
I mean, Philadelphia veterans, people who live and reside in Philadelphia who travel to counties throughout the Commonwealth are probably faced with the same problem, so if we can figure out a way in getting the Commonwealth to, you know, enact some legislation that provides for an accommodation, if you will, for vehicles with disabled-veteran plates, it would help them when they travel outside of Philadelphia as well. Do you agree? I mean, is that something that may make some sense here?
Well, I agree, but for 19 years, the City of Philadelphia allowed anybody with 20 a handicapped tag to park for free, so the precedent is there for a state, a city, a municipality to allow anyone to park -- anyone with a disabled plate to park there, so they could make the same --
But we allowed it for any vehicle, any vehicle, that had either a 111 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010497 placard or a plate, regardless of whether it was disabled. Now we're saying we just won't let those vehicles with disabled veterans plates. I'm saying to you, if we can do that, we would, but I don't think we're going to be able to do it as easily because the other groups are going to come in and say, "What about us?"
Well, what I think everybody here is doing is asking you to take a stand and do that.
Councilman Mariano. I'm sorry, Councilman Rizzo. I apologize.
Point of order. Before we go through the exercise of going to the State and getting interpretations, why don't we, Mr. Chairman, ask our Law Department to see if we won't get -- and I can see where the Chair's coming from. Why put something out there that's going to get challenged by the rest of the disabled community. Why don't we get an interpretation from our Law Department to see if we can have what we're trying to accomplish here. But when I'm recognized to speak, and if 112 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010497 the Chair would allow, I'll speak now on a point that I'd like to make.
I think that the entire process that the State manages is a disgrace. I'd like to give you a hypothetical here. I have a police officer tell me -- and I hope the Parking Authority's listening because I've already had the conversation with one of your executives over there. A police officer noticed a contractor. We have a handicapped spot right across the street, in front of the Municipal Services Building. Pull up a roofer or a -- I better not be specific. A contractor pull up, park in the handicapped spot, reach over from the glove compartment, and hang the blue placard from the windshield. The police officer went over and wanted to try to determine whether the blue placard was his grandmother's or uncle's. The numbers that are on the blue placard, you would think that law enforcement would have the ability to get on the radio or their data terminal and be able to call police radio and say, No. 110734, could you give me 113 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010497 the registered owner of that placard? to make sure that it belongs to the person, or the person that it belongs to is in that vehicle. Would you believe it, the Philadelphia Police Department -- at least at the level I dealt with -- have no way, no way, of determining, based on who the placard belongs to, and this is important for this record, 'cause I don't want to start pursuing this, has no way to determine whether that blue placard is lost, stolen, belongs to whoever. And I think that the entire process -- I'm starting to hear horror stories where a person applied for -- well, our Philadelphia Police Department should be pushing that so they can get that information. It's not State. We have a responsibility to --
We have the responsibility if something is not working well in 114 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010497 this first-class city, that we should be beating on Harrisburg's door and utilizing our state representatives and senators. The problem that we have right now is the fact that we have a system that stinks, we have a system that's abused, where the people that deserve it can't utilize it as well as -- because if it wasn't being abused, this would be a no-brainer, but the problem that we have is the fact that people get these placards for a temporary -- I heard a story. A person called me and told me the fact that they got a disabled -- because they had a knee job, knee surgery, the State sent them the application to renew it; it didn't even ask them if they needed it. And the person, just for the fun of it, or whatever the case, they renewed it, and they have it. So my point being is that we need this fixed, and we need the state representatives that represent Philadelphia, the state senators that represent Philadelphia to fix it. I don't understand if this is such a bad process that it isn't being fixed. Is there something I'm missing here? 115 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010497
Councilman, Councilman, with all due respect, I don't think these witnesses are expert witnesses on that. I think that the testimony that was given and the comments that have been made, we all agree that the way that handicap placards and plates are issued is a grace in this Commonwealth, and I agree.
Well, then let's fix it so we can accommodate people who need it, because it's being so abused.
I think that they're interested, Mr. Chairman, in what I'm saying here. I'm not asking that they're expert witnesses.
I'm asking them to get with me or get with whoever your organization is to beat Harrisburg's door down to get the problem fixed. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Councilman, Councilman, I heard you. All I'm saying is, we have said that, and maybe you weren't here.
I was here. 116 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010497
I said I think that the answer to this is at the Commonwealth level, and that's where we need to go. I mean, I hear what you're saying, and it's been said several times today. Councilman Mariano.
Mr. Chairman, thank you on that. I think there's a little bit of frustration here, and let me make it perfectly clear, as the sponsor of this bill. Councilwoman Specter did that in '82, and that was a freestanding bill, right? Do you recall that?
I know you're much older than I am, and I know you remember that. Did anybody challenge it then? Did any other groups come around, do you remember?
Well, I think that people rallied around the bill because it was at the time when we were raising money to build the Vietnam Veteran Memorial.
And, you know, Philadelphia 117 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010497 probably per capita had the highest number of losses of any other major city in the country in Vietnam, and I think that's part of what I was trying to say, was that, you know, the issue of how do we get around giving veterans maybe a special privilege? We've been fighting that battle since World War I, you know.
And on that, Mr. Lowery, not to interrupt you, but I will, I mean, I'm going to vote for this, obviously, because I'm the sponsor of this, but especially the Vietnam veterans, and I'm looking at John, the Korean veteran, and there may be some World War II veterans here -- Councilman Cohen, for instance is a World War II and Councilman Longstreth is a World War II veteran. But here's what we got to think about: These men and women came back from something they really -- some really wanted to go to and some didn't, and they came back with a lot of problems. We can sit around all day and we can do this and get to the State, and hopefully out of this, we'll get something to the State, but they deserve something special. Right now is a time when 118 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010497 people are paying a whole lot of attention to veterans and firemen and policemen because of what happened in September. I mean, we've done a lot of things around here. For instance, we did something today that was pretty courageous on Councilman Cohen's part, talking to the President of the United States, asking him to be real careful with the nuclear weapons. Now, I'm sure George Bush is listening to what Councilman Cohen and I are saying in City Council, but that was a message, and I'm sure the Councilman doesn't expect the President of the United States to listen to him -- I'm sure he hopes he would. And we understand, and I think this is the kind of bill where we need to send a message. Regardless of what Mr. Dixon's going to say, regardless of his expertise on parking, regardless of the revenue, regardless of who can't park anywhere, people that take advantage of handicapped- parking situations are going to pay somewhere, somewhere along the line -- if not in this life, in the next life. I mean, I really believe that. I can look all through this audience and 119 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010497 I can see Tyrone back there, 173rd Airborne Vietnam, he went through a lot, he went through a whole lot, and I don't even know if he has a disabled tag, and it's not really important if he does, but if he took the time out of his work today to come down here to tell us that some of the people that he knows and some of his peers and some of his friends and some of the people that he suffered with through these 30-some-odd years needs something special, we should be able to do that as the Councilpeople. And if the State knocks it down and if other people come in after this and knock it down, so what? We've put out other things that have been knocked down, and we've done other things that some may think is frivolous, but this isn't frivolous; this is important. And if I said that word right, I'm sorry, Councilman Rizzo, but that's what I mean. I mean, I think that's where we're at with this kind of bill, so we're all going to do what's in our hearts, and that's all I have to say.
Chairman DiCicco and 120 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010497 members of City Council, I'm a World War II and a Korean veteran and served in the Army in World War II in August of '44 to September of '47 and reenlisted for the Korean War in August of '50, got shot two months and nine days later. I have 160 percent disability and partial paralysis in my arm and shoulder from a gunshot wounds. I have a leg injury, I have two kneecaps, I --
Sir, you have to slow down and we need your name for the record.
My father was a Philadelphia police officer who died in the line of duty August 8, 1927. I was born and raised in South Philadelphia. I'm a native Philadelphian. I moved out of Philadelphia. I'm the President of PFC (indiscernible) Chapter No. 38 Incorporated. We're in the process of building a Philadelphia Korean War memorial right across from the Vietnam Memorial. I think it's a slap in the face to all 121 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010497 veterans of World War II, Korea, and Vietnam when we have to go down and honor our war on certain days that we can't park down there. The Philadelphia Housing Authority don't want to hear nothing, they give you these citations and ticket.
I have to have my wife drive me because of my disabilities. I also have a bad heart, unlike Mr. Finnerty, and I have a lot of other medical problems, but I'm going on 76 years old. I'm down here to support Mr. Ed Lowery and Mr. Finnerty. And we're making a big improvement down there at the Philadelphia Korean War Memorial site and in conjunction with the Vietnam veterans. And we have certain days down there that we have to go down there to honor our war dead -- you can't park down there because the Philadelphia Housing Authority police are over there and they give you tickets for parking.
And we have members of our chapter that get a little perturbed at City 122 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010497 Council because of this ordinance. I remember when Joan Spector gave us that privilege. I never abused it. I come down to Philadelphia quite often, have to come down here. At times, I park at 107 Front and Spring Garden Street, and I have to walk up 42 steps to the el, to get the el coming down here if I have to go to the VA Hospital, members of City Council, things like that. It's pretty hard on all veterans of any war to find a place where you could park when it's a necessity to come into Philadelphia for a visit, and that's why I'm here for, to show support for Mr. Edward Lowery and Mr. Finnerty, and last but not least, Mr. Rick Mariano. I think that privilege ought to be given back to us in appreciation for what we did when we were needed. And like I said, members of our chapter are a hell of a lot older than me and a hell of a lot sicker, and you see these younger guys that are 55 years old. When we go, they're going to be our age and they're going to come back and ask City Council where they could park at? I think it's kind of ludicrous for anybody to deny us that privilege. 123 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010497 That's how I feel.
Thank you. Point well taken. Councilman Cohen wanted to remind me that compared to him, you are a young man.
I just had one question and one maybe suggestion. How do the veterans generally feel about it? Are you a group that represent the disabled veterans or the severely disabled? I'd like to get a picture of how the whole veteran community feels, because in my days of service, in my post-days, I found that veterans didn't like to be divided into groups. I would feel much more comfortable about a bill of this kind if I felt that it was being supported by the whole veterans community. Do they agree -- do the veterans generally agree that there ought to be a special treatment for the disabled veterans or the severely disabled veterans? I don't know; I haven't heard 124 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010497 any testimony on that. But at some later hearing, apparently, we're going to be having later on --
It would be helpful to me, because I know veterans get very annoyed. Some veterans apply for disability, some that are disabled don't apply for disability, some feel they're unfairly denied disability by the government. I'm not sure that veterans generally would agree that the United States government, in making its decisions, always makes them right or fair. I would like to avoid that; I would like to feel that what we're doing is something that the entire veteran community's in general agreement with. If you have any information on that, I'd appreciate it.
Councilman Cohen, the majority of the veterans -- VFW, American Legion, DAB, VVA, Catholic War Veterans, Purple Heart, Korean War veterans -- are all in favor of this 125 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010497 bill. We've talked to 'em, Mr. Lowery's been out there from the point of where it left. We've been getting calls downstairs on it. The veterans today honor those who are handicapped and those that are disabled. They have no animosity that this guy's got a disabled tag and that guy don't. That's just the way it is.
If I may, I am the past commander of the United Veterans Council of Philadelphia, which is an umbrella group that represents 35 different veteran groups in the City, and that at two previous meetings, I was asked to come up and present this issue. And they are upset by the previous bill; they're in favor of the new bill, with the amendment. And I really think that in general, if they would have had a place to park, they probably would have been here today. And not to scare you, Councilman, but one of the issues here is that World War II veterans are dying at a rate of 1500 a day. We -- the program we run is not a transportation program, but we have been transporting -- previously when some of these 126 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010497 vets did have handicapped or disabled-vet tags, their families would take 'em to appointments to the VA, and there's never enough parking out there. If they park on Woodland Avenue, we're called continuously that the Parking Authority is out there writing tickets that, you know, they leave on the cars. So, I mean, you know, the veterans are in favor of it, and not to belabor this, but I don't know if it's an answer or not, but two things come to mind, and we've been, as I started to say, fighting the issue of why veterans get preferences. Veterans get preferences in employment benefits. The whole idea of that is the fact that veterans went, they served, many came back disabled, many didn't come back at all. That benefit is passed on to their widows. So, you know, sometimes you have to take a stand and say, We want to do something for these people. And I think that's what Councilwoman Spector and the members of Council did back in 1982 or '86.
But then it exploded. 127 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010497
I don't want to interrupt you, but I voted against Councilman DiCicco's bill that eliminated the parking.
But the jury's still out as to whether it's a good thing or a bad thing. All I'm dealing with at this point is the separation between veterans, and that's what concerns me. And I would feel better in considering the bill if I had clear evidence, you know, in writing, that all of the veterans groups are united and feel this is a sound way to go. That's the only point I'm suggesting. If we could have avoided the abuses that Councilman DiCicco brought to light, we all would have been happy, you know, with giving veterans these special privileges 'cause I think all of us, whether we're veterans or not, feel that veterans have earned some special treatment, whether they're veterans of World War II, Vietnam, or Korea, or any of the wars you have been engaged in, or the Gulf War or anything. But I don't want to see a situation in which certain veterans are pitted against other 128 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010497 veterans. That's my concern.
What it is, I moved out of Philadelphia because when I was working, my company moved out of the 107 Teamsters. I live in Bucks County now, but my roots is from Philadelphia. We have handicapped parking up there, and you try to park up there, any Tom, Dick, and Harry will park in that area, and you can't do nothing, and we're told by the Warminster police or the Doylestown police, That's private property. They don't enforce the law of handicapped parking. So other people abuse the benefit that we earn, and they do it here in Philadelphia.
I understand that in Philadelphia, as a result of our previous, the legislation is now law that on every metered block, there is one space that is dedicated strictly for a vehicle with a handicapped placard in place.
I come down and I ride around and I have to take my wife --
Well, it's the little blue meter that's lower, that was made to be 129 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010497 handicap-accessible, wheelchair-accessible. It has a blue head on it. And when we're finished installing them -- and Mr. Dixon will correct me if I'm wrong -- we'll have about 2,000 of them citywide. Let me ask you, sir, if I may. You live in Bucks County. Are there any special privileges in Bucks County as it relates to the --
Most of the meters up there are a nickel. I come down here to hold a ceremony to --
How long can you park at that meter? What's the maximum amount of time?
I could put a quarter in and stay there for a couple hours.
I'm Trying to say, you come down to Philadelphia, we hold a ceremony over at Front and Dock Street to honor our war dead, and we have members get tickets, and you can't talk to 130 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010497 the Philadelphia Parking Authority, 'cause they don't want to hear nothing.
And I seen Vietnam veterans at the last candlelight service get tickets down there when they're honoring their war dead. That's a slap in the face to veterans who fought in the country --
You're going to find this hard to believe: We all get tickets too. And I'm not suggesting that --
-- my fight is greater than your fight was, I'm not suggesting that, but some days, I wonder.
Veterans are united in this effort. The Veterans Administration don't give you nothing. I have a 160 percent disability. I had a frostbite in my feet and hands, my feet swelled up. I have trouble walking. And I'm not looking for sympathy. I think we want to get that privilege back that Joan Spector gave us in '82. I never abused it. 131 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010497 When I come down here, my interest and concern is to show the support for Mr. Edward Lowery and Mr. Finnerty, and Mr. Finnerty will tell you I'm always down here for other veterans benefits that can't come down here, and it's a hell of a thing to come down here and be subject to --
I will repeat it again: I don't think there's anyone in this group, on this committee, that would not like to figure out a way in which we can accommodate veterans, disabled veterans.
Give us back the privilege that Joan Spector gave us in '82.
Again, I'm going to say it one more time: I don't know if we can just do it for your group, I'm not an attorney. We need to look at that, and I would be willing -- I'll go on the record again and say I still think it's a Commonwealth issue. I will speak to my senator and ask him to see what he can do within the Senate of Pennsylvania to find a way out of this
He supports our 132 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010497 efforts. So does Stuart Green, but I think we ought to get that privilege back that Joan Spector gave us veterans until they come up with -- handicapped parkers --
If I could do it for veterans only, it would be done today. I want to ask Mr. Dixon if you have anything for the purpose of maybe refreshing Councilman Cohen's knowledge about our original bill. What veterans group was a part of that? And I'm not going to start a war over the groups, but I'd just like for the record to --
Eastern Paralyzed Veterans testified in favor of the bill, and I'd like to correct a couple things, if I may. Let me start by saying that I certainly have appreciation for the contributions of veterans have made. My father served in World War II. The grant from the Purple Heart that my grandfather earned sits next to the flag that was over his casket on the mantle in my home. So I don't come to this process without an appreciation of what veterans have done to allow me to sit where I do today. 133 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010497 The situation that we faced a year ago was that almost half of the parking spaces in Center City were taken out of service because of the number of people that were parking all day with privileges for people with disabilities -- all privileges for people with disabilities. And Mr. Thompson made a statement that we made the changes in that law in order to help business. Well, business was certainly helped by it, but the major reason that we took the tack that we did in doing this was to provide access for all people to conduct whatever business they needed to conduct in the City of Philadelphia -- and that meant going to doctor's appointments or visiting veterans service centers or anything else. Part of the problem that we faced before this bill went into effect is, disabled veterans couldn't find a place to park on City streets no 20 matter what the price they were willing to pay. We now have a situation where the vacancy rate of parking meters in the City of Philadelphia went from 3 percent to 14 percent. That is almost four times the number of parking opportunities that existed at meters before. 134 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010497 In addition to that, we have created 1,000 reserved metered spaces on the streets of the City so that people with disabilities don't have to compete with well, able-bodied individuals to find a place to park that is close to their destination. The other issue that I think we need to keep in mind is, even though there may be a limited number of people that currently are eligible for these benefits, for every person that takes a parking space on the street during for the duration of the day, that displaces four other people who have similar disabilities or possibly more severe disabilities, because they will not have access to those spaces because they were taken first thing in the morning, and the same person held it all day. Our goal in drafting this legislation was to increase opportunities for everyone to find a place to park. Right now, people with disabilities have probably an 80 percent chance of finding an open, reserved space for within a block of their destination. It is true that they have to pay part of the meter rates for that time, but it is also true that it's limited as to time. 135 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010497 We recognize that there are mobility impairments that disabled veterans face, and in order to accommodate that, we have said that beyond the time limit, we would give people an hour for them to get back and forth to their location. But the difference today compared to the way it was before April of last year is, spaces are available now, which were not available before. I'd also like to talk about the slippery slope argument that everybody's been discounting, that if we give it to this one group, then somebody else is going to come in, and people have said, Well, that's not actually the case. Unfortunately, that's exactly what we saw this morning. We came into this hearing with a bill 17 that said we were going to give these privileges to severely disabled veterans. Mr. Lowery -- the first part of Mr. Lowery's testimony said, We want to expand that to all disabled veterans. So already, we went from a pool of 50 individuals to a pool of 300 individuals in the space of about five minutes. But the reality of that is, also from Mr.
Lowery's testimony, that there are actually, I think you said, 60,000 disabled veterans in the 136 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010497 Philadelphia region that are eligible for these privileges but don't currently have them. We will then, if we go forward with this, create such a huge economic incentive for people to get those benefits -- if I get a chance to park free, I am certainly not going to pay for it if I can. It's just human nature. So we have now increased the pool from 50 people to 300 people to the possibility of 60,000 people within the Philadelphia metropolitan area. That's -- now maybe it's --
Point of information. While you're on a roll, I hate to interrupt you but I will.
Why didn't them 60,000 people do that before this happened?
Now, all of a sudden, they're going to run out? Rick, come on. If they were going to do it, they were going to do it -- theoretically, theoretically.
I have the floor. 137 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010497 Theoretically, if they were going to do it, wouldn't they have done it before? I mean, you could speculate that they would do that, but they're not going to -- if we pass this bill today, if it gets passed in two weeks, 60,000 people aren't going to run out. What I'm telling you and what I said when gave my little speech there is, these people have served their country, they're not going to cheat anything, they're not going to park in a handicapped spot all day because they're busy somewhere downtown. They're going to go in for two, three hours, go get their service and their meeting, and then they're going to leave. These are honorable guys. They don't need to be here now. Now, I understand as a bureaucrat -- now, believe me, this isn't a shot at you. We're talking about -- this bill is severely disabled. We're talking about 44 people in the City of Philadelphia, 387 statewide. Mr. Lowery may want disabled, and I would like to see that, but this bill is only severely disabled, so let's not confuse the matter, okay?
I was just responding, 138 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010497 Councilman, to the testimony that was heard.
I get my license free. I go up to the State Capitol building, got severely disabled veterans right outside of the State Capitol building where you can park.
What I was trying to do was to attach a clause to getting the tag to try to dilute what was just stated by Mr. Dixon. So what you're telling me is that if that pool wanted to go get the tag, they wouldn't have to write a check for 60 bucks to go get that license plate because that would be a discouragement in itself. So what you're telling me is you don't need -- if you apply to Harrisburg for the veterans -- the disabled -- severely disabled 139 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010497 veteran tag, it's free.
I get 100 percent disabled veteran. I have a 160 percent (indiscernible), and I don't pay for my license plate. I've been going up to Harrisburg, getting $100,000 appropriated in State funds for a Philadelphia Korean War Memorial. They have special areas up there outside State Capitol building for severely disabled veterans with the handicapped parking. We park there all day, I've been up there.
John, with all due respect. Councilman, if I could ask Mr. Dixon another question.
Mr. Dixon, is this your opinion, or did you ask the Parking Authority Board how they felt about this?
I did not clear this with the board; I cleared this with our executive director.
With Mr. ? 140 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010497
You didn't talk to Joe Asdell (ph) or anybody like that?
'Cause I really think we're arguing about 44 people at this point. And at 44 to 60,000 is a big jump.
The only point I would make -- to summarize the Authority's position on this bill, for every individual that takes a place space, you're displacing four other people that have the same type of disability if they park in a reserved zone, possibly more severe disabilities. From the authority's perspective, this is a question of access; it is not a question of money. It is not a question of who gets a privilege and who doesn't get a privilege; it is an attempt to manage in the best way that we can one of scarcest resources that the City has to offer.
Again, not to (indiscernible), but it is a question of money, it's a question of right, it's a question of people that went and did their duty and respected them later, 141 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010497 sometimes 30, 40, 50 years later. It may be corny and disinteresting to some people, but to a great many people in this chamber and in this city and this state, it's very important that these guys are honored the way they should be honored, even it costs the City money, 'cause I think we can come up with something here if we pass this bill.
Any other questions for these witnesses? Mr. Dixon, I would just like to ask a question. If you don't have the answer, that would be find. You're not holding this, I assume; you want to run the bill?
I don't know if the vote's up or down; we'll find out. Regardless of what happens, if it votes up, fine. If it votes down, I would like to ask if the Authority can't accommodate by either regulation or policy vehicles with handicapped, severely handicapped disabled plates, as we accommodate municipal vehicles, MG tags, and others, just a thought to take back to the Authority, you don't 142 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010497 need to answer me today.
I know, I don't expect you to 'cause you do have to go back to your people, but I think you know where I'm going. If there is a way in which we can make some accommodation by policy or by regulation, similar to what we do with other municipal authorities, departments, what have you, even with the press --
Councilman, are you saying the press gets special privileges?
No, they don't get anything special; it's by regulation or policy that we do accommodate individuals. That's not a question of debate now; it's a matter of a question I'm asking for Mr. Dixon to take back to the Authority, pending the outcome of the bill in front of us today.
A different avenue there is if you accommodate vehicles that have wheelchair 143 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010497 accessibility already, if the Parking Authority does do that, then a similar exemption for severely handicapped, severely disabled veterans would be maybe a better way to go rather than under some sort of City way.
You're saying what I'm saying. Mr. Dixon's not in a position to answer that today. He'll take it back, depending on the outcome of what we do here.
The only thing that I can say in response to one other issue that was raised is that we regularly grant parking privileges when there are ceremonies for veterans at the Veterans Memorial and we suspended enforcement in the area that's -- if they come up again, we would be happy to --
Mr. Lowery, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the soon-to-be Korean Memorial, they're in my district, so if you give us enough advance notice, we'll work with the Police Department to work out those arrangements because some of your folks may be parking on a street that doesn't have a meter, but it may have a no-parking sign anytime, so the meter thing isn't going to help 144 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010497 you in any regard, all right?
And on that, Councilman, also, Mr. Lowery is the multi-service center, and there's people that come there for different services.
I think we had issues with parking there sometime ago, if I'm not mistaken, under the bridge, right?
A couple issues came up. Mr. Dixon indicated -- and I mentioned in my testimony -- he apparently missed it, but in mentioning that the Eastern Paralyzed Veterans testified on behalf of the bill that was passed, that's not totally correct. They testified on the bill before it was amended. I think that's important. Because they testified at the time when the veterans were exempted from the new ordinance 23 that was amended. And I'd like to say one thing, that the Eastern Paralysed Veterans may have the biggest 145 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010497 membership, but all you have to do to be a member is buy a box of Christmas cards. They had -- out of all those thousands of people that were injured during the Persian Gulf, three had spinal chord injuries. So they have a lot of money. They're down in Washington all the time and they're always doing lobbying and everything, but I don't think they represent this group or most veterans in Philadelphia. The other issue that I'd like to close with is that there's laws and (indiscernible) in the Commonwealth that apply to veterans preference and veterans benefits. And, basically, I think the issue here that maybe you could look at before we get to the State level is that those particular laws are the minimum requirements that municipalities can utilize for accessibility and veterans preference and all those things, but every municipality has the right to do more. So I think that's the issue. If the City Council and this committee wants to do what the right thing is for disabled and severely disabled veterans, I would say great, but I don't think that you can't do it, you know, and I don't think you'd 146 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010497 be violating any law if you did do it. So, again, I think it's important to mention that.
Well, again, I think if we can, if it's possible to do it by policy or regulation, I think, for me anyway, it might be the easier and cleaner way, but we'll discuss that.
My name is Bob Bartlett, B-A-R-T-L-E-T, and if anybody knows about parking cars, you know? All right, I'm going to try to keep this short. I was a sergeant in the Marine Corps, I was a gunner. I got a Purple Heart, I got 80 combat missions, I was a door gunner. We were told that the handicapped plate was free. No, the plate was paid for on the battle field. I went to computer school, and the kids said 147 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010497 to me, You go to school for free. I said, No, I paid a price for this school that you could never afford, so that handicapped plate is not free; it's been paid for a long time ago. As they say, it's not the price to join; it's the price to be eligible, you know? Anyway, I'm going to be as quickly as I can 'cause I can talk the ears off a brass monkey, so let me ask, will you accept written testimony after this?
Yes, you can send it to my attention, Councilman Frank DiCicco, D-I-C-I-C-C-O, Room 332, City Hall. Philadelphia, PA, 19107.
Okay, that will allow me to keep it much briefer, 'cause I'll just rattle this off. As far as the abuse goes, I mean, with the placards and the numbers not being able to be traced, I mean, I work with computer, and you can do anything with a computer. You could put the name and address and an expiration date on that tag. If 148 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010497 you want to go all the way, you could put a photo on that tag. And when that big contractor who parks his pickup truck over there with a picture of his grandmother on there, you're going to know that it's not her.
Non-union, okay, because I was a shop steward for the Teamsters Union, shop steward for the Postal Union, and practically a shop steward in the Marine Corps, okay? Now, in the post office, when I was a shop steward, they had a reserved parking space for the shop steward; I refused to park there, because I refused to accept special privilege, okay? I'm going to make some of my veteran friends a little bit upset because I'm going to say, as astronomers measure a star's brightness by magnitude, we should measure a handicapped disability by mobility, you know? I have Purple Heart, I was wounded, you know, I was shot in the head, unfortunately, and fortunately, there's nothing wrong, but the thing is that if you're perfectly able to walk, you can be a hundred percent disabled. If you're perfectly 149 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010497 mobile, then you shouldn't be parking in the handicapped spot, okay? And I know I'm not making any friends by saying that. The American public's not aware, but right now Afghan has produced amputees by land 7 mines -- they're keeping that quiet from the 8 American public, you know? You know, they talk 9 about the low casualty rates and everything. 10 The other thing, being from Boston, I 11 know in the City of Boston, there's 175,000 parking 12 places -- I'm sorry, there's 145,000 parking places and 175,000 cars in the city between 9 and 5, and some of those parking places are in front of the post office. There are 15-minute places. So they count that 15-minute parking four times for an hour and eight times for the day, so that 15-minute parking place is really 32 parking places in the count of 145,000 parking places. So anytime you go to Boston, you'll see 35,000 people driving around looking for a place to park. That's it. Some of our guys are very, very immobile, and it's really tough. Even when you go down to Washington, you can't get very close at all to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, to the wall, you know? 150 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010497 And we have to assist a lot of the guys down there. We had the moving wall in New Jersey a couple years ago on the Cooper River Park, and one good idea I had in 30 years, I said, let's get golf carts, so we got golf carts to take the disabled people out there to the wall, you know? And I have to again disagree and maybe make some enemies with my veteran friends, 'cause I think all disabled people who are immobile should be able to park at those places. A vehicle with a lift is allowed to park. I have a friend who has a spinal-cord injury, who was shot in the spine; he disassembles his wheelchair. He drives a regular, ordinary station wagon. He props himself into the seat and then he takes the wheels off, puts the wheels in the back seat, and puts the chair in. So once his chair's out of the vehicle, you would not know that, you know, he was in the wheelchair. At the VA Hospital, there's no parking there. The director of the hospital admitted -- his wife was in the University of Pennsylvania Hospital, and he wanted to go see her. He drove around the block a dozen times and finally, he admitted, he snuck into Children's Hospital and parked there and 151 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010497 then snuck over to the University of Pennsylvania, you know? Philadelphia is so much with veterans. I mean, the history of Philadelphia is so connected to veterans. Edison High School had more casualties than any other high school in America. Father Judge had more casualties than any other Catholic high school in America, okay? They're telling me to cut it short. Like I said, I got the address so we can write.
The only other thing I wanted to say, Councilman DiCicco, is that I notice in your speech pattern, you said, Well, I'll speak to this speak and I'll speak to that. I would like the address of the iron worker, because I would like to speak with him, and when I get through with him, he will need those disabled plates.
I won't give you the exact address, but it's the 1500 block of South 13th Street, and I'm sure you'll identify him when you see him.
Thank you. 152 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES, BILL 010497 Is there anyone else who wishes to testify? No more comments? Thank you. This concludes the public hearing on the Committee of Streets and Services. - - - 153 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES - PUBLIC MEETING
We will now move into our public meeting. The Chair recognizes Councilman Ortiz.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move that Bill No. 010497 be moved out of committee with a favorable recommendation and a recommendation that the rules of Council be suspended to permit first reading at our next session City Council.
I move that Bill No. 12 010497 be held for further study. (Duly seconded.)
Councilman Rizzo's in the bathroom; can we wait for him?
I move that Bill No. 19 010608 be moved out of committee with a favorable recommendation and a recommendation that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading in the next session of City Council. (Duly seconded.)
It's been properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 010608 be reported 154 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES - PUBLIC MEETING out of this committee with a favorable recommendation and a further recommendation that the rules of Council be suspended in order to permit first reading at our next Council session. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The bill is approved. The Chair recognizes Councilman Ortiz.
Mr. Chairman, I move that Bill No. 010621 be moved out of committee with a favorable recommendation and a recommendation that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading at the next session City Council. (Duly seconded.)
It's been properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 010621 be reported out of this committee with a favorable recommendation and a further recommendation that the rules of Council be suspended in order to permit first reading at our next Council session. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? 155 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES - PUBLIC MEETING The bill is approved. The Chair recognizes Councilman Ortiz.
I move that Bill No. 5 010636 be moved out of committee with a favorable recommendation and a recommendation that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading in the next session City Council. (Duly seconded.)
It's been properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 010636 be reported out of this committee with a favorable recommendation and a further recommendation that the rules of Council be suspended in order to permit first reading at our next Council session. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The bill is approved. The Chair recognizes Councilman Ortiz.
I move that Bill No. 22 010637 be moved out of committee with a favorable recommendation and a recommendation that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading in the next session City Council. 156 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES - PUBLIC MEETING (Duly seconded.)
It's been properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 010637 be reported out of this committee with a favorable recommendation and a further recommendation that the rules of Council be suspended in order to permit first reading at our next Council session. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The bill is approved. Councilman Ortiz, we can go back to the first bill, if you don't mind. Councilman Rizzo is back.
I move that Bill No. 19 010497 be moved out of committee with a favorable recommendation and a recommendation that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading at the next session of Council.
I move that we hold the bill for further study. (Duly seconded.) 157 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES - PUBLIC MEETING
It's been recommended that the bill be held by Councilman Cohen. All those in favor of holding the bill 5 signify by saying Those opposed?
Should we do a roll call? It's 4 to 3. The bill will be held. The bill's being held. The Chair recognizes Councilman Ortiz.
Is there anybody 158 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES - PUBLIC MEETING that can give me some parliamentary answer to this question?
I know what your motion is, Councilman Mariano. I'm asking for a parliamentary procedure. I don't know if we can do that at this point. The bill has been voted -- the majority voted to hold the bill.
I mean, it's just like if the bill was passed or defeated.
Could we get a parliamentarian ruling on that and hold this committee until we get it?
Well, we'll go through the other bills. As far as the Chair is concerned, the bill is being held, unless someone can prove otherwise, fine, but we'll move on with the other bills. Councilman Ortiz.
Mr. Chairman, I move 159 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES - PUBLIC MEETING that Bill No. 010693 be moved out of committee with a favorable recommendation and a recommendation that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading at the next session City Council. (Duly seconded.)
It's been properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 010693 be reported out of this committee with a favorable recommendation and a further recommendation that the rules of Council be suspended in order to permit first reading at our next Council session. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The bill is approved. Councilman Ortiz.
I move that Bill 19 010713 be moved out of committee with a favorable recommendation and a recommendation that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading at the next session of City Council. (Duly seconded.)
It's been properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 010713 be reported 160 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES - PUBLIC MEETING out of this committee with a favorable recommendation and a further recommendation that the rules of Council be suspended in order to permit first reading at our next Council session. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The bill is approved. Councilman Ortiz.
Mr. Chairman, I move that Bill No. 010714 be reported out of committee with a favorable recommendation and a recommendation that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading at our next session of City Council. (Duly seconded.)
It's been properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 010714 be reported out of this committee with a favorable recommendation and a further recommendation that the rules of Council be suspended in order to permit first reading at our next Council session. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. 161 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES - PUBLIC MEETING Those opposed? The bill is approved. Councilman Ortiz.
Mr. Chairman, I move that Bill No. 010715 be reported out of committee with a favorable recommendation and a recommendation that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading at the next session of City Council. (Duly seconded.)
It's been properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 010715 be reported out of this committee with a favorable recommendation and a further recommendation that the rules of Council be suspended in order to permit first reading at our next Council session. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The bill is approved. Councilman Ortiz.
Mr. Chairman, I move that Bill 010716 be reported out of committee with a favorable recommendation and a recommendation that 162 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES - PUBLIC MEETING the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading at the next session of City Council. (Duly seconded.)
It's been properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 010716 be reported out of committee with a favorable recommendation and a recommendation that the rules of Council be suspended. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The bill is approved Councilman Ortiz.
Mr. Chairman, I move that Bill No. 010717 be reported out of committee with a favorable recommendation and a recommendation that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading at the next session of City Council. (Duly seconded.)
It's been properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 010717 be reported out of this committee with a favorable recommendation and a further recommendation that the 163 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES - PUBLIC MEETING rules of Council be suspended in order to permit first reading at our next Council session. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The bill is approved. Councilman Ortiz.
Mr. Chairman, I move that Bill 010720 be reported out of committee with a favorable recommendation and a recommendation that rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading at the next session of City Council. (Duly seconded.)
It's been properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 010720 be reported out of committee with a favorable recommendation and a recommendation that the rules of Council be suspended. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The bill is approved.
Mr. Chairman, I move that Bill 010741 be reported out of committee with a 164 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES - PUBLIC MEETING favorable recommendation and a recommendation that rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading at the next session of City Council. (Duly seconded.)
It's been properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 010741 be reported out of committee with a favorable recommendation and a recommendation that the rules of Council be suspended. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The bill is approved Councilman Ortiz.
Mr. Chairman, I move that Bill 020051 be reported out of committee with a favorable recommendation and a recommendation that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading at the next session of City Council. (Duly seconded.)
It's been properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 020051 be reported out of this committee with a favorable recommendation and a further recommendation that the 165 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES - PUBLIC MEETING rules of Council be suspended in order to permit first reading at our next Council session. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The bill is approved. Councilman Ortiz.
Mr. Chairman, I move that Bill 020073 be moved out of committee with a favorable recommendation and a recommendation that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading at our next session of City Council. (Duly seconded.)
It's been properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 020073 be reported out of this committee with a favorable recommendation and a further recommendation that the rules of Council be suspended in order to permit first reading at our next Council session. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The bill is approved. Councilman Ortiz. 166 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES - PUBLIC MEETING
Mr. Chairman, I move that Bill 020074 be reported out of committee with a favorable recommendation and a recommendation that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading at our next session of City Council. (Duly seconded.)
It's been properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 020074 be reported out of this committee with a favorable recommendation and a further recommendation that the rules of Council be suspended in order to permit first reading at our next Council session. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The bill is approved. Councilman Ortiz.
Mr. Chairman, I move that Bill No. 020090 be reported out of committee with a favorable recommendation and a recommendation that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading at the next session of City Council. (Duly seconded.) 167 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES - PUBLIC MEETING
It's been properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 020090 be reported out of this committee with a favorable recommendation and a further recommendation that the rules of Council be suspended in order to permit first reading at our next Council session. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The bill is approved. Councilman Ortiz.
Mr. Chairman, I move that Bill 020091 be reported out of committee with a favorable recommendation and a recommendation that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading at the next session of City Council. (Duly seconded.)
It's been properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 020091 be reported out of this committee with a favorable recommendation and a further recommendation that the rules of Council be suspended in order to permit first reading at our next Council session. All those in favor will signify by saying 168 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES - PUBLIC MEETING aye. Those opposed? The bill is approved. Councilman Ortiz.
Mr. Chairman, I move that Bill 020093 be reported out of committee with a favorable recommendation and a recommendation that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading at our next session City Council. (Duly seconded.)
It's been properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 020093 be reported out of this committee with a favorable recommendation and a further recommendation that the rules of Council be suspended in order to permit first reading at our next Council session. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The bill is approved. Councilman Ortiz.
Mr. Chairman, I move that Bill 020096 be reported out of committee with a favorable recommendation and a recommendation that 169 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES - PUBLIC MEETING the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading at the next session of City Council. (Duly seconded.)
It's been properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 020096 be reported out of this committee with a favorable recommendation and a further recommendation that the rules of Council be suspended in order to permit first reading at our next Council session. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The bill is approved. Councilman Ortiz.
Mr. Chairman, I move that Bill 020097 be reported out of committee with a favorable recommendation and a recommendation that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading at the next session of City Council. (Duly seconded.)
It's been properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 020087 be reported out of this committee with a favorable recommendation and a further recommendation that the 170 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES - PUBLIC MEETING rules of Council be suspended in order to permit first reading at our next Council session. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The bill is approved. Councilman Ortiz.
Mr. Chairman, I move that Bill 020098 be reported out of committee with a favorable recommendation and a recommendation that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading at the next session of City Council. (Duly seconded.)
It's been properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 020098 be reported out of this committee with a favorable recommendation and a further recommendation that the rules of Council be suspended in order to permit first reading at our next Council session. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The bill is approved. Bill 020118 has been withdrawn. 171 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES - PUBLIC MEETING Councilman Ortiz, Bill 020117?
Mr. Chairman, I move that Bill No. 020117 be reported out of committee with a favorable recommendation and a recommendation that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading at the next session of City Council. (Duly seconded.)
It's been properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 020117 be reported out of this committee with a favorable recommendation and a further recommendation that the rules of Council be suspended in order to permit first reading at our next Council session. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The bill is approved. Councilman Ortiz.
Mr. Chairman, I move that Bill 020120 be reported out of committee with a favorable recommendation and a recommendation that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading at the next session of City Council. 172 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES - PUBLIC MEETING (Duly seconded.)
I move that the amendment be approved to Bill 020120. (Duly seconded.)
It's been properly moved and seconded that the amendment to Bill 020120 be approved. All in favor will signify by saying aye? Opposed? There are none opposed.
Mr. Chairman, I move that Bill No. 020120, as amended, be reported be moved out of committee with a favorable recommendation and a further recommendation that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading at the next session of City Council. (Duly seconded.)
It's been properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 020120, as amended, be reported out of this committee with a favorable recommendation and a further recommendation that the rules of Council be suspended in order to permit 173 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES - PUBLIC MEETING first reading at our next Council session. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The bill is approved. Councilman Ortiz?
Mr. Chairman, I move that Bill No. 020121 be reported out of committee with a favorable recommendation and a recommendation that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading at the next session of City Council. (Duly seconded.)
It's been properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 020121 be reported out of this committee with a favorable recommendation and a further recommendation that the rules of Council be suspended in order to permit first reading at our next Council session. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The bill is approved. Councilman Ortiz? 174 3/14/02 STREETS & SERVICES - PUBLIC MEETING
Mr. Chairman, I move that Bill No. 020141 be reported out of committee with a favorable recommendation and a recommendation that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading at the next session of City Council. (Duly seconded.)
It's been properly moved and seconded that Bill No. 020141 be reported out of this committee with a favorable recommendation and a further recommendation that the rules of Council be suspended in order to permit first reading at our next Council session. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. Those opposed? The bill is approved. This concludes the public meeting on the Committee of Streets and Services. Thank you, everyone. Thank you for your patience. (Proceedings conclude at 5:05 p.m.) - - - 175 CERTIFICATE I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing proceedings of the Council of the City of Philadelphia's meeting of the Committee on Streets and Services of Thursday, March 14, 2002, are contained fully and accurately in the stenographic notes taken by me, and that this is a true and correct transcript of same. RE BILLS: 010497, 010608, 010621, 010636, 010637 010693, 010713, 010714, 010715, 010716, 010717, 010720, 010741, 020051, 020073, 020074, 020090, 020091, 020093, 020096, 020097, 020098, 020117, 020120, 020121, 020141 __________________________________, Josephine Cardillo, Registered Professional Reporter and Notary Public (The foregoing certification of this transcript does not apply to any reproduction of the same by any means, unless under the direct control and/or supervision of the certifying reporter.)